Saturday December 16, 2023
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is set to resume the second phase of the troop withdrawal from Somalia next week.
ATMIS said on Friday that it will reduce its troop presence in Somalia by an additional 3,000 and transfer control of several military bases to Somali security by Dec. 31.
“This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing process of transitioning of security responsibilities from ATMIS to Somalis,” ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
It said the drawdown is in line with the directives of the African Union Communique and the UN Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023).
According to ATMIS, the second phase of the drawdown is informed by the recommendations of the joint technical assessment completed in August.
“This strategic approach aims to align with Somalia’s overarching security transition objectives, ensuring a careful and well-planned reduction in troop presence,” ATMIS said.
In the first phase of the drawdown, which concluded in June, ATMIS withdrew 2,000 troops and transferred control of seven militaries to Somali Security Forces, as mandated by UN Security Council Resolutions 2687 and 2670.
