ATMIS: First phase withdrawal of troops from Somalia was successful

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The first phase of withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops from Somalia was successful, the military leadership has acknowledged, with the African Union [AU] now focusing on the second phase scheduled for September 2023.

Contingent commanders from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Burundi, and Uganda admitted that the withdrawal, done in June, met the required standards with several Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] handed over to the Somali National Army [SNA].

Although the Al-Shabaab militants have managed to attack the Gherille Forward Operating Base which was initially under the control of Kenya Defence Forces [KDF], the rest of the FOBs remain relatively peaceful and under the supervision of the Somali National Army [SNA].

"We discussed a wide range of issues, including the general security situation and the threats posed by al-Shabab, and came up with resolutions to be implemented by the respective sector commanders," Sam Okiding, ATMIS force commander who chaired the meeting, said in a statement.

"The meeting also discussed the transition in detail, mainly phase one drawdown and its impact as well as our capacity and capabilities for subsequent operations," Okiding said. The ATMIS withdrew 2,000 soldiers from Somalia by June 30 and handed over six military bases to the Somali Security Forces [SSF] in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In September, Okiding added, at least 3,000 more troops will be withdrawn from Somalia, with around 14,000 set to remain within the country for the next year. The peacekeepers are expected to fully withdraw from the country in the next year.

Peter Kimani Muteti, ATMIS deputy force commander in charge of support and logistics, described the conference as timely and key to fulfilling the ATMIS mandate ahead of its exit from Somalia in December 2024, the force reported.

"The key components of our mandate include degrading al-Shabab, protecting civilians, ensuring that we give access to and escorts to humanitarian assistance, mentoring Somali Security Forces, and also supporting the stabilization process," he added.

The peacekeepers, however, are expected to assist Somalia in the country for the next phase of operations against Al-Shabaab militants which will focus on Jubaland and Southwest states. The Somali National Army has already started early preparations for the assault, which targets Al-Shabaab strongholds in Middle Jubba.

GAROWE ONLINE