Somalia receives seven ATMIS bases from AU forces

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] has received seven Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] so far from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], with the AU forces announcing completion of hand over as the country prepares to take security responsibilities in coming months.

So far, the seven FOBs have been cleared by the AU forces, with a total of 2,000 soldiers set to leave the country. In future, 3,000 more troops will leave the country as AU focuses of remaining with under 14,000 soldiers across the Horn of Africa nation.

Bosco Sibondavyi, who is the ATMIS chief logistics officer, termed the progress as an "important milestone", adding that the mission is keen to stick to its mandate. Already, the Security Council has extended ATMIS mandate by another six months.

By 2024, the ATMIS contingent is expected to leave the Horn of Africa, which has been struggling with instability. The mission force has been around since 2007 when Al-Shabaab militants first struck but the concerted has drastically reduced the insurgency.

Recently, the militants attacked the Uganda People's Defense Forces [UPDF] in Bulo Marer Forward Operating Base, killing over 54 soldiers. The attack however, did not deter the ongoing process of the reducing the number of soldiers in the country, which the force is determined to undertake.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has insisted that his administration will ensure the militants are eliminated as he focuses on strengthening the economy. Hassan Sheikh recently said the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab will commence in Jubaland and Southwest states soon.

The first phase, he added, left over 3000 militants dead, with the local militia also playing key role in degrading the militants. Al-Shabaab group which is the immediate associate of Al-Qaeda in Africa has been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE