Major Leap as Somali Forces Take Charge at Villa Somalia, Parliament in 16 Years

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia marked yet another major milestone on Sunday, for the first time in 16 years, Somali Security Forces took over the mandate of securing the presidential palace in Mogadishu as African Union troops gradually hand over responsibilities to national forces.

National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali signed the handover document with African Union Transition Mission in Somalia ATMIS) head Mohammed El-Amine Souef. The process was also witnessed by UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) head in Somalia Catriona Laing and the UN Support Office in Somalia, (UNSOS) chief Qurat-ul-Ain Sodazai.

ATMIS handed over two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at Villa Somalia and Parliament building to Somali Security Forces as ATMIS troops from Uganda who have been protecting the two facilities since 2007 exited. ATMIS said the handover symbolised Somalia’s commitment and preparedness to assume full security responsibilities.

An additional 3000 troops from ATMIS are set to leave the country by December 31 in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2710.

 The handover of the two FOBs adds to about ten FOBs which ATMIS has relinquished to Somali Security Forces this year. ATMIS troops are expected to fully exit the country in December 2024. Somalia land week appealed to international donors in New York for a limited international force to guard key installations including ports and airports when the AU mission winds down.