The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to support Somali Security Forces (SSF) in their efforts to increase security, stabilization, and development.
ATMIS Acting Force Commander Marius Ngendabanka stated that they are tasked with reducing the danger presented by the terrorist group al-Shabab, assisting in the capacity-building of an integrated SSF, and conducting a phased handover of security responsibility to Somalia.
“Since the reconfiguration in April last year, ATMIS and the SSF have continued to plan, coordinate, and conduct joint targeted operations across sectors to deny terrorists freedom of movement and, in many cases, degrade al-Shabab,” Ngendabanka said Friday in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.
He reaffirmed ATMIS’ commitment to fulfilling its mandate and authority from the United Nations Security Council as well as the African Union Peace and Security Council.
Ngendabanka stated that ATMIS will continue to support targeted joint operations led by Somali security forces until the SSF takes over security responsibility in December 2024. He further stated that ATMIS will continue to collaborate with the SSF at various levels to create an enabling environment for security, stability, and peace.
According to the ATMIS acting force commander, the AU mission supplied air support to the SSF in the southern and central regions, including attack and utility helicopters.
“Our goal is to see a more secure, stable, and prosperous Somalia,” Ngendabanka said, saying that ATMIS continues to maintain its presence in sectors that jointly hold priority population centers and protect key supply lines, including areas critical to humanitarian aid delivery.