AU: There will be no security vacancy after ATMIS troops exit from Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union (AU) maintains that there will be no vacancy in security upon the exit of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops, who have been serving in the country for the last 18 years, putting a strong defense of civilians.

Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the AU Special Representative for Somalia, said there will be no security vacuum in the country, adding that the AU will not abandon Somalia even after the troops exit from the country.

ATMIS will be withdrawing 4,000 more soldiers from Somalia in the third phase, with 5,000 already having left by the end of 2023. By the end of June, ATMIS would have recalled a total of 9,000 soldiers of the 22,000-strong army in Somalia.

“Even as ATMIS troops drawdown, we will ensure there is no security vacuum,” Souef said after a two-day visit to Jowhar, south-central Somalia, according to a statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Saturday night.

According to him, the transition will be well coordinated with the federal government of Somalia and the international partners. The Somali National Army will take over security responsibilities upon the exit of ATMIS.

During the visit, Souef lauded the Burundian troops for their efforts in countering and degrading al-Shabab, urging them to remain vigilant and work closely with the Somali security forces and the local community.

“We came to assess the work of our contingent, and everybody we met spoke highly of our contingent, including the president, the civil society representatives, the elders, and the local authority officials. They mentioned our contingent’s commitment, experience, and willingness to support and assist in terms of civil-military cooperation and security,” Souef said.

Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, and Uganda are the Troops Contributing Countries in the Somalia Mission and the team has been lauded for helping to topple Al-Shabaab from strategic points across the country, particularly in the last two years.

The ATMIS deputy force Commander in charge of operations and plans, Marius Ngendabanka, reiterated the AU mission’s commitment to strengthening peacebuilding efforts in the region and working with the Somali National Army to secure Hirshabelle State.

“We are here to help Somalia restore peace and stability, and we will continue working toward achieving this noble goal,” Ngendabanka said.

GAROWE ONLINE