Somali Forces to Take Guard at Villa Somalia Today For the First Time in 16 Years

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somali Security Forces will today formally take charge of security at Villa Somalia for the first time in 16 years as the country gradually weans itself of dependence on African Union forces.

National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali announced that the Somalia National Armed Forces (SNAF) and Somali Police Force will take charge today to protect the President, Prime Minister and Parliament in line with the Somali Transition Plan (STP).

“SNAF and SPF will proudly take over the responsibility of Villa Somalia tomorrow marking a significant milestone for the STP. Farewell to ATMIS UPDF contingency who has been responsible for protecting the Presidency, OPM and Parliament House for the last 16 years,” Ali said in a post on his X account.

African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) particularly the Uganda contingent has been guarding key installations since they first deployed in 2007. ATMIS is expected to leave Somalia in December 2024 per the UN Security Council timelines.

Major donors ‘welcomed’ a request by the Somalia government last week in New York for a ‘limited and new multilateral mission to protect strategic population centres and key Mogadishu and Federal Member State infrastructure. This includes airports, three ports which will permit space and time for SNAF to establish and build on base foundations and conduct offensive operations at the “Now” and “Next” juncture, a communique from the conference read in part.