National Security Adviser Says New African contingent to replace ATMIS in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal government of Somalia’s national security advisor Hussein Sheikh-Ali has said a smaller African force will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which will withdraw by the end of this year.

Sheikh-Ali stated that a contingent of 12,000 troops from various African countries will temporarily take over the responsibilities of ATMIS.

“Under the leadership of the Somali government, a smaller African force is set to replace ATMIS. The government is currently in the process of deciding which countries will contribute to this new contingent, which is expected to number 12,000 troops”, Sheikh-Ali said.

 
He added that 10,000 troops will assume the primary responsibilities currently handled by ATMIS, while the remaining 2,000 will perform supplementary tasks.

The new operation, involving both Somali forces and the smaller African contingent, aims to build on the gains made by ATMIS.

However the details of the contributing countries and the exact timeline for the deployment are still being finalized by the Somali government.