Somalia, AU and UN announce resumption of second phase of troop withdrawal

Somalia, the African Union Transitional Mission (ATMIS) and the United Nations Support Office (UNSOS) jointly announced on December 3 the resumption of the second phase of the ATMIS withdrawal process from the Horn of Africa country.

Somalia, AU và LHQ xác định giai đoạn rút quân thứ hai

Somalia, AU and UN are determining the second phase of troop withdrawal. (Illustration photo. Source: AFP)

Speaking at a joint press conference in Mogadishu, Special Envoy for Somalia of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission and head of ATMIS, Mohammed El-Amine Souef, said that the process of withdrawing an additional 3,000 troops from Somalia was originally scheduled to end by the end of September but has been technically paused at the request of the Somali government.

Accordingly, after extensive tripartite discussions at the technical level, and in accordance with the AU Communique and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023), ATMIS will continue and complete the withdrawal of 3,000 troops by December 31.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, Mr. Souef noted that since the technical pause in September, ATMIS, the Somali government and UNSOS have been working together to come up with measures to continue the disengagement process as outlined by the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council.

Somalia’s National Security Adviser Hussein Sheikh Ali reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complying with the set timelines. He noted that Somali security forces are ready to take control of the eight military bases that will be handed over by ATMIS, and called on Somalis to support the transition process.

Meanwhile, UNSOS chief Aisa Kirabo Kacyira expressed the UN agency's support for the transition and withdrawal process to complete the mission, affirming that UNSOS continues to provide logistical support for ongoing operations.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission in Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Mr. Mohammed El-Amine Souef, appreciated ATMIS' contribution to the stability of the East African country and its tireless efforts to ensure a smooth transition to the Somali Security Forces.

Mr. Souef added that with the support of ATMIS and international partners, Somali Security Forces have successfully conducted operations to clear and liberate areas previously controlled by al-Shabab terrorists.

According to the withdrawal plan until December 2024, about 3,000 soldiers of the ATMIS force will continue to leave Somalia by the end of September next year.

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