AU supports Somalia's quest for technical pause of ATMIS withdrawal

African Union (AU) soldiers stand with their armoured vehicles near a checkpoint on the eve of presidential elections in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 [File: Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP Photo]

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - In a surprising move, the African Union [AU] has supported Somalia's quest for a technical pause of withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops, over a fortnight after the Horn of Africa nation made the request in the United Nations Security Council.

Somalia called for a three-month technical pause, citing logistical challenges in the event the second phase of exit was effected. Already, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia stopped the withdrawal of 3,000 soldiers who were scheduled to leave by September 2023.

On Thursday, the African Union's Peace and Security Council endorsed the pause, noting that the move will allow the country to sort out a few issues before the troops leave. Somalia is currently engaged in operations against the militants in central and southern regions.

The communique, which was issued in Mogadishu, underlined the union's "solidarity with the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in their aspirations for durable peace, security, stability, and prosperity, which will benefit the Horn of Africa region and the Continent as a whole."

Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Uganda are some of the top contributing Countries in Somalia, having dispatched over 20,000 soldiers. Already, 2000 soldiers have left the Horn of Africa nation, and the 3,000 soldiers were expected to leave by September this year.

Security analysts have been opposing the move, arguing that it will badly expose the young army in Somalia. according to Abdirisak Aden, executive director of the Farsight Africa Research and Policy Studies center, based in Mogadishu, it will ultimately be up to the African Union and other members of the international community to provide the necessary financial support to fund it.

"Somalia needs a fraction of US and EU funding to Ukraine to defeat Al-Shabaab, a global terrorist organization," he said.

The Al-Shabaab have been on the receiving end for the last 12 months, with over 3,000 killed during the first phase of operations against the group in HirShabelle and Galmadug states. The second phase is due to kick off in Jubaland and Southwest states of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE