Somalia president committed in Al-Shabaab war - minister

FILE: Kenya defense minister Aden Duale

NAIROBI - Kenya's Defence Minister Aden Duale reiterates that the government of Somalia has shown commitment in the fight against Al-Shabaab, adding that for the last few months, Mogadishu has been "extraordinary" in flushing out the militants who are fighting to topple the administration.

In an interview with Citizen TV, Duale lauded Mogadishu for efforts towards neutralizing the militants, noting that the effort has borne fruits contrary to claims that the militants were gaining ground in all frontlines, where the military is involved in serious operations.

According to Duale, significant progress has been made also partly due to the engagement of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the US Africa Command, who have been providing technical and logistical assistance to frontline troops.

"We are thankful for Somalia having a supportive president in Hassan Sheikh Mohamud," said Duale. "He has literally engaged us and asked for assistance in flushing out the militants and has been instrumental in mobilizing his troops and the local militia."

When he assumed power, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared total war on Al-Shabaab militants, hence the activation of military operations and surveillance against Al-Shabaab. Also, Somalia has put mechanisms to disrupt Al-Shabaab revenue channels across Somalia.

On the exit of Kenya Defence Forces [KDF] from Somalia, Duale said ATMIS has started gradual withdrawal, adding that by December 2024, there will be no foreign soldiers in the Horn of Africa nation. For KDF, he said, most of them will tactically withdraw to the Forward Operating Bases along the border.

"Somalia has trained her forces who will be taking over security responsibilities from those serving in ATMIS. By December 2024, we anticipate a situation where no foreign soldiers will be there and for our KDF, we are expecting them to withdraw to our borders where FOBs have been established."

Kenya had pledged to deploy more soldiers to Somalia who is expected to participate in the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, but to date, no communication has been made. However, a senior KDF commander told VOA that there are plans to dispatch non-ATMIS troops who will be engaging in the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE