Over 4,000 AU soldiers to withdraw from Somalia
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 04-02-2024, 03:49PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 4,000 African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) soldiers are set to leave the country in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan (STP), with the third phase of withdrawal set to be completed by June 2024 according to reports.
On Saturday, at handed over security responsibilities for Raga Ceel Forward Operating Base to the Somali National Army (SNA) as part of the final stages of Phase II withdrawal. Phase II was scheduled to be completed in December 2023 but was delayed a little bit due to logistical issues.
Initially, the AU had planned to state the Phase II exit in September 2023 but President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made a passionate appeal to the international community to technically pause the move for the sake of enhanced security in the country.
Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, director of conflict management within the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the AU Commission, who led the delegation to Somalia, said the AU will ensure there is no security vacuum in Somalia as preparations begin for Phase Three drawdown of a further 4,000 troops by June.
"We remain committed to ensuring that, number one, we stick to the timelines of the drawdown. Of course, we have had two extensions in the last two drawdowns," Bah said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
"And so, except in situations of force majeure, we remain determined and resolute in ensuring that by December 31, 2024, we will have completed the drawdown."
The 4,000 soldiers are expected to leave by June 2024, with the remaining 10,000 set to move out by December this year. Already, 5,000 soldiers left the country in Phases I and II last year, handing over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army.
Al-Shabaab is facing hard times in Somalia following a crackdown engineered by the US Africa Command, ATMIS, and the SNA troops. The government of Somalia is optimistic that by the end of 2024, Al-Shabaab will have lost significant ground in the country.
GAROWE ONLINE
