(10-06-23) MOGADISHU — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia has held a meeting with the Special Representative of the African Union for Somalia, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, and Sam Okiding, the Commander-in-Chief of the ATMIS Forces, over the planned withdrawal of ATMIS troops in the country by the end of 2024.
The high-level talks, which took place earlier this week, focussed on the transitioning of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali National Army (SNA). The discussion follows increased international attention on the ongoing struggle against militant groups within the region.
Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, in an unequivocal display of admiration for the Somali government’s efforts, commended their unwavering stance in the fight against terrorism. He highlighted the government’s role in expediting the second phase of operations aimed at eliminating Al-Shabaab – an extremist group posing a significant threat to Somali civilians and the country’s socio-economic development.
In response to the evident successes achieved by the SNA, President Hassan Sheikh emphasised the necessity of a well-organised technical and military support framework. This, he said, would be crucial to aid the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, which has been wreaking havoc not only within Somalia but across the region.
The international community is closely watching the gradual withdrawal of ATMIS forces from Somalia and the subsequent transitioning of security duties to the SNA. It is an ambitious undertaking, but one that holds great promise in advancing Somalia’s long-term goal of self-reliance, peace, and stability.
