Somalia, AU Step Up Security Transition Talks in Mogadishu

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Defence Minister Ahmed Ma’allin Fiqi met the African Union’s Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, in Mogadishu on Friday to strengthen cooperation on the handover of security responsibilities from African Union forces to Somali troops.

The discussions come as Somalia prepares for a gradual transition that will see its national army take over security duties from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Officials said the talks focused on how to coordinate operations, allocate resources, and ensure Somali forces can secure key areas after the drawdown.

The meeting, attended by senior Somali security officials, highlighted the government’s push to accelerate progress towards self-reliance in defence.

The success of the transition will be critical to Somalia’s stability, with failure likely to open space for al Shabaab militants to regroup.

AUSSOM’s continued support is viewed as vital in bridging gaps in training, logistics and equipment as Somali forces scale up operations.

Somalia’s leaders say a smooth security transition is key not only for stability but also for economic recovery and regional confidence in the country’s state-building process.