Somalia forces take control of military bases ahead of AU peacekeepers' exit

MOGADISHU, Somalia - With the exit schedule of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops set to expire by the end of this month, the Somali National Army (SNA) is taking control of more bases, as they strategically place themselves to assume security responsibilities.

Most of the remaining soldiers would leave before January 2025 amid the integration of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is set to take over the peacekeeping mission in February this year.

The SNA forces are being deployed to Jubaland, Southwest, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug where most of these peacekeepers have been operating. They will not immediately take over security responsibilities until stability is achieved.

"With the ATMIS mission ending on December 31, 2024, Somali forces have already reclaimed 21 critical bases across Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Jubbaland proof of their growing dominance," the state media reported.

"Come January 2025, the AUSSOM mission will launch, putting Somalia’s security entirely in the hands of its army and marking the dawn of a new era in the nation’s fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The assurance of take takeover comes amid claims that Somalia is dispatching troops to Raskamboni in Jubaland to overthrow Ahmed Madobe, who secured his third term through an indirect election contrary to Villa Somalia's plans.

Also, there is a buildup of Ethiopian troops in the Gedo region after Somalia insisted that they would not play a part in the AUSSOM after Addis Ababa was accused of signing an agreement with Somaliland over access to the sea. Somalia wants Egypt to lead the mission.

The Al-Shabab militants are increasingly taking advantage of the ongoing wrangles and taking more towns that had been liberated. The international community has asked President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to embrace dialogue for the sake of stability.

GAROWE ONLINE