AU mission mandate extended ahead of exit from Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) will stay in the country for another four months, the United Nations Security Council approved the request, just ahead of permanent exit from the country which is still fighting for stability.

The ATMIS team will stay in the country until December 2024, when the mandate shall officially expire. This rhymes with the time the country will be getting a new mission dubbed the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The UN Security Council endorsed resolution 2748 which approved the continued stay of close to 12,600 soldiers in the country. The vote followed the adoption on Monday of resolution 2747, a technical rollover that extended the mission’s authorization by three days.

During the vote, the council encouraged traditional donors and new donors to continue supporting ATMIS, with the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) asking to continue leading the mission. This, the UN said, would bolster the fight against Al-Shabaab.

The council requested the UN secretary-general to continue providing a logistical support package through the UNSOS and decided to continue support for 20,900 personnel from the Somali National Army or Somali National Police Force, on joint or coordinated operations with ATMIS, until Dec. 31.

The Somali National Army (SNA) is expected to take over security responsibilities once the ATMIS continues to complete the drawdown. Already, 10,000 officers have left the mission in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan.

AUSSOM, the successor mission of ATMIS, will be led by Egypt and Djibouti from January 2025. Currently, the ATMIS Troops Contributing Countries include Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, and Djibouti and are credited for significant gain in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE