AU Peace Council Endorses New Post-ATMIS Mission in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council has endorsed the establishment of a new AU-led mission in Somalia to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) which is set to conclude its operations in the country by December 2024.

The new mission is designed to support the federal government in its ongoing offensive against the Al-shabaab militants which aims to degrade the group’s insurgency, enhance security, and prioritize civilian protection across Somalia.

According to Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC PAPS), the new mission will not only focus on counter-terrorism operations but will also play a crucial role in the stabilization and state-building efforts within Somalia.

Adeoye further stated that the initiative aims to create a secure environment conducive to political and economic development, thus enabling sustainable peace in the region.

“Key priorities for the upcoming mission include providing robust support to Somali security forces, ensuring the safety of civilians, and facilitating state-building initiatives. The mission will engage in comprehensive counter-terrorism operations to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s capabilities and influence,” Adeoye said.

At the same time, AU Peace and Security Council said it was considering a recent request by Somalia for for a phased approach to the Phase 3 Drawdown of ATMIS which involves reducing the current personnel by 4,000 troops, to be executed in two stages: the first tranche of 2,000 personnel by the end of June 2024 and the second tranche by the end of September 2024.

This phased reduction strategy is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining stability in Somalia during the handover period.

The Council underscored the importance of a well-coordinated and gradual drawdown to prevent any security vacuums that could be exploited by Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has played a crucial role in supporting Somali forces to regain territories from Al-Shabaab and other militant groups.

The new AU-led initiative is expected to build on these gains, working closely with Somali authorities and international partners to ensure lasting peace and security.