Locals William Ruto and Ismail Guelleh of Djibouti have emphasised the significance of coordinating the withdrawal of a regional force from Somalia with the nation’s security capabilities.
The two officials who spoke at a news conference in Djibouti seemed to imply that they would oppose any plan to end the army presence in Somalia without guarantees that Somalia would be able to defeat Al Shabaab successfully.
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According to UN Resolution 2670, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) would gradually transfer security duties to the Somali security forces as part of the execution of the Somali Transition Plan by withdrawing 2,000 personnel by June 30.
The success of AMISOM, the forerunner to ATMIS, was emphasised by Ruto and Guelleh as being crucial to maintaining.
“We agreed that the upcoming IGAD Summit should address the Somalia transition plan while safeguarding the gains made by AMISOM/ATMIS,” reads a statement from a country that contributes troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
The withdrawal, they continued, must guarantee that Somalia’s security forces take over control of the regions freed from the grip of the extremist organisation Al-Shabaab.
On the regional level, we reaffirmed our shared intention to advance peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, according to Ruto.
Exit in December 2024
The AU Peace Mission must leave Somalia on December 31, 2024.
Both the ATMIS and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) have reiterated their dedication to assisting in a seamless handover of security responsibility to the Somali security forces.
AU Special Representative to Somalia Mohamed El-Amine Souef and the Somalia Minister for Information, Culture, and Tourism Daud Aweis said operations against Al-Shabaab to liberate remaining territories under their control were ongoing in various parts of the country during a joint press conference held at the Villa Somalia in Mogadishu on June 8.
Souef, who is also the head of ATMIS, stated, “I wish to reaffirm our commitment to implementing the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces in accordance with the Somali Transition Plan and the pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions.”
When the ATMIS troops go, Ambassador Souef expressed confidence that the FGS has amassed enough forces to take over security duties.
phased transition
“I am quite certain of the Somali Security Forces’ skills. According to him, the SNA has demonstrated an increasing capacity to carry out combat operations against the terrorist organisation during the last year.
“I wish to sincerely commend His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership in ensuring force generation and enlisting various Somali public segments in the fight against Al-Shabaab.”
Minister Aweis praised the Somali security forces for their tenacity in maintaining order and stability throughout the nation and urged law enforcement to keep cooperating to defeat Al-Shabaab’s menace.
“As you are all aware, there are continuing operations taking place across the nation to destroy Al-Shabaab. Additionally, the Federal Government of Somalia’s second phase of operations is anticipated to begin shortly, he added.
The Minister described a number of actions made by government officials and organisations to guarantee that the Somali people live in a relatively peaceful and stable environment.
The two leaders greeted Catriona Laing, the new Special Representative for Somalia appointed by the UN Secretary General, and promised to cooperate with the organisation to stabilise the nation.