AU to complete the withdrawal of troops from Somalia by the end of 2024
The African Union (AU) delegation has completed a five-day working visit to Somalia, confirming the AU's commitment to complete the country's security transition by the end of 2024.
The delegation led by Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, director of conflict management within the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission concluded a visit to Somalia on Friday. Sarjoh Bah said the AU will ensure there is no security vacuum in Somalia when preparations begin for the Third Phase to reduce another 4,000 troops by June. The purpose of the AU team's talks was to outline the procedures for the transition of the security responsibilities of the African Union Transitional Force in Somalia (ATMIS) where the Somali security forces are expected to be entrusted with the responsibilities and manage security after ATMIS. The first two phases of withdrawal saw the withdrawal of a total of 5,000 troops. 14,600 soldiers from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are still in Somalia. ATMIS was given more offensive powers when it replaced AMISOM's predecessor in April 2022, which was established in 2007 to help Somalia's fragile government deal with Al Shabab extremists. In 2011 to 2012, Al-Shabaab terrorists were expelled from the capital Mogadishu and major cities of Somalia, but they still occupy large rural areas. The terrorists continue to carry out attacks against security and civilian areas, including in the capital. The African Union delegation led by Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, will present a report to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the United Nations Security Council. The document will outline the parameters for the post-Atmis security configuration in January 2025.
