Saturday June 22, 2024
FILE - African Union soldiers stop near to Beledogle airfield, Somalia, to help secure the area from al-Shabab insurgents, Oct 11, 2012.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (HOL) – The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) has endorsed the creation of a new AU-led mission to support Somalia's security transition after the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) concludes its mandate at the end of 2024. The decision was made during the PSC's 1217th meeting on June 20 following the Joint Strategic Assessment report from the African Union Commission.
The new mission aims to continue efforts to degrade the Al Shabaab, maintain security, and assist in state-building efforts. The PSC approved a phased approach to the Phase 3 drawdown of ATMIS forces, with the withdrawal of 4,000 personnel split into two tranches: 2,000 by the end of June 2024 and another 2,000 by the end of September 2024. This strategy seeks to prevent security gaps and ensure a smooth transition.
The Somali government had previously expressed confidence in its preparedness for the ATMIS withdrawal. As recently as last month, Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail 'Fartaag' stated that Somali security forces have made significant progress in training and equipping themselves to take over full security responsibilities.
However, the PSC expressed concerns about potential capability gaps after the drawdown, which could allow Al Shabaab to reorganize. The Council emphasized the importance of force generation and capacity building so that Somali national security forces can assume full security responsibilities. The financial implications of the phased drawdown were also addressed, with calls for resource mobilization from the United Nations, European Union, and other partners to ensure a smooth implementation.
Somali officials have demanded the withdrawal of all Ethiopian troops by December 2024, citing sovereignty and regional security concerns, although some Federal Member States have publicly opposed the order. The demand comes amidst Ethiopia's involvement in an MoU with Somaliland for a port, which some Somali leaders view as an infringement of their national sovereignty. Ethiopia, however, denied receiving any official notice from Somalia regarding the withdrawal of peacekeeping troops. The demand to withdraw would also likely extend to Ethiopia's involvement in the new AU-led mission.
Despite these challenges, Somalia confirmed the arrival of new troops from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi earlier this month as part of the post-ATMIS mission.
The new AU-led mission will focus on supporting the Somali government in maintaining security, countering terrorism, and stabilizing the country. The PSC stressed the need for a clear command structure, accountability, and sustainable funding mechanisms, including UN-assessed contributions, to support the mission.
The AU Commission and Somali stakeholders are tasked with developing a Concept of Operations (CONOPs) by the end of July 2024. The document will outline the mandate, configuration, benchmarks, and timelines for the transition from ATMIS to the new mission.
The PSC called on the United Nations Security Council to authorize the phased drawdown approach and provide continued logistical support. It also urged member states and partners to maintain their support for Somalia's stabilization and security efforts.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was established in 2007 to support the transitional government and combat the Al Shabaab insurgency. Over the years, AMISOM played a key role in stabilizing Somalia. In April 2022, AMISOM was reconfigured into ATMIS to facilitate Somalia's transition to self-reliant security.