AU Mission: Al-Shabaab has reduced activities in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Al-Shabaab has reduced activities in Somalia within the last few months, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] Mohammed El-Amine Souef has confirmed, in what is linked to intense operations against the militants across the Horn of Africa nation.

Consequently, he added, the security situation in the country has remained relatively calm due to surveillance in every corner orchestrated by a partnership between security forces mainly from the Somali National Army [SNA], ATMIS, the US Africa Command, and local militia, who have been incorporated in the crackdown.

The operations against the group were activated last year when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed power and since then, over 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed and over 3,700 others critically injured, the government said in a statement.

"However, we cannot afford to lower our guard since the Khawarij (al-Shabab) remain the greatest threat to Somalia's peace and stability," Souef told a media briefing in the Somali capital of Mogadishu as ATMIS celebrated its first anniversary.

ATMIS is preparing the Somali National Army to take over security responsibilities from next year and the peacekeepers project that within the next 19 months, the local troops could be in charge. Under Somali Transition Plan [STP], SNA is supposed to take over by December 2024.

Souef said the transition, which requires the transfer of security responsibility to Somali security forces, is already underway. The ATMIS boss said the mission is committed to establishing a stable country before the mandate comes to end next year.

"In this regard, I would like to reaffirm ATMIS's support to the federal government and the good people of Somalia that we stand in solidarity with the communities facing the hardships of droughts and floods, and those displaced by wars," Souef said.

The Al-Shabaab, he noted, have been targeting innocent civilians in their cowardly attacks, adding that peacekeepers are working tirelessly with local forces to subdue them from all fronts. He insisted that the country needs long-term solutions for feasible stability.

"We urge all peace-loving Somalis to continue working closely with the security forces to help the country achieve long-term peace and security," Souef said.

GAROWE ONLINE