AU mission to kick-start second phase of troops withdrawal from Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The second phase of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] withdrawal from the Federal Republic of Somalia will start soon, the African Union [AU] has revealed, in compliance with Somali Transition Plan [STP] which gave a clear roadmap on security handing over. 

Under STP, it is anticipated that by December 2024, the Somali National Army [SNA] would have taken over security responsibilities in the country, over 16 since the arrival of foreign troops who have been assisting in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. 

The Al-Shabaab are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, but the strong resistance from local and international troops has kept them at bay, losing several strategic towns across the country in recent weeks. Both ATMIS, US Africa Command, and local troops are actively involved in the fight. 

According to ATMIS, the second phase of the withdrawal of troops seeks to cut the number to 14,626 from the current 16,586, a reduction of 1960. But previously, ATMIS had indicated that the second phase will affect 3,000 soldiers contrary to the most recent statement. 

"African Union will implement the Phase 2 drawdown to 14,626 personnel jointly with the Government of Somalia as informed by the findings of a Joint Technical Assessment," read the statement from ATMIS regarding the anticipated withdrawal.

ATMIS emphasized that Phase II should meet certain conditions. The main one is: The drawdown should take into account the need to maintain the hard-won gains. The force is largely credited for stability which the country is envisaging, and has partly fulfilled the mandate. 

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has however, asked Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia to deploy non-ATMIS troops to help in the second phase of operations against the Al-Shabaab, a request which has since been accepted. The three countries will send troops who will serve for 90 days before their exit. 

The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab militants will start in due course with executors putting Jubaland and Southwest states on line. The Al-Shabaab group has in recent weeks intensified attacks against security forces and innocent civilians across Somalia and neighboring Kenya. 

GAROWE ONLINE