The African Union’s peacekeeping force in Somalia, responsible for countering the insurgency by Al-Shabaab jihadists, announced the completion of the second phase of troop drawdown, involving a reduction of 3,000 soldiers.
Despite a four-month delay, followed by several major reversals against the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents, the Mogadishu government had requested a three-month “technical pause” in the drawdown scheduled to be carried out by last September.
“The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS)… has completed Phase Two drawdown, which involved reducing the troop count by 3,000 soldiers,” the force said in a statement.
Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), confirmed the transfer of seven forward operating bases to the internationally-backed government and the closure of two others.
Plans are underway for Phase Three, which aims to further reduce troop numbers by 4,000 in June.
“We will soon start preparations for the next phase, Phase Three, to reduce our numbers by 4,000 troops in June,” said Lieutenant General Sam Okiding.
The withdrawal, part of a UN-mandated calendar, aims for a complete exit of ATMIS from Somalia by the end of the year, transferring security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Initially established in 2007, ATMIS took over from its predecessor force, AMISOM, in April 2022, with a broader offensive mandate against the jihadist insurgency led by Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab was driven out of Somalia’s main towns and cities over 2011-2012, but retains power in large swathes of rural areas.
Despite efforts to combat Al-Shabaab, the group maintains control over rural areas and continues to carry out attacks, posing significant challenges to Somali security forces, supported by US airstrikes and AU troops.
Ada Peter
