Somali Magazine – The United Nations (UN) delegation led by the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa, Martha Pobee, on Wednesday applauded the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) for its immense participation in peacekeeping and stability in Somalia.
On Wednesday, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) donated an assortment of equipment to the Somali Police Force (SPF) to enhance service delivery. The SPF-ATMIS Liaison Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Abdulle Dore, said the donation was testimony to the good working relations between the ATMIS Police and SPF.
ATMIS, FGS, and the UN have been at the forefront of flushing the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which has for many years been a threat in the Eastern Africa region.
“I cannot say more in terms of commending ATMIS and its predecessor, AMISOM, for the great work done and the critical role they have played in Somalia towards advancing peace and security in the country,” said ASG Pobee during a meeting at the ATMIS Mission Headquarters in the capital, Mogadishu.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Africa met with the ATMIS Senior Leadership, including the Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, and the Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Support and Logistics, Maj. Gen. Peter Muteti.
On the UN side, officials accompanying ASG Pobee included the Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Catriona Laing, and the Head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Aisa Kirabo Kacyira.
The ASG’s Somali visit is a significant moment for strengthening the collaboration between ATMIS, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and international partners and shaping Somalia’s security situation after ATMIS exits in December 2024. ASG is engrossed in thematic areas that would brace the Somalia peace.
“At this stage, I have to see how best we can fashion and design the post-2024 plan or configuration. Our role as a delegation is to talk to ATMIS, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and see how the security transition can be conducted in a way that enforces or consolidates the gains that we have made, the great sacrifices involved, and thanks to the men and women who have played a role in this,” said ASG Pobee.
The SRCC and ATMIS Head, Ambassador Souef, emphasised ATMIS’s role in stabilising Somalia and continued efforts to guarantee a seamless handover of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces.
Additionally, Ambassador Souef mentioned that the Somali Security Forces had successfully carried out offensive operations and freed regions that had been under the terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab’s control.
“We know that the main objective of ATMIS, FGS, and the UN today is to defeat Al-Shabaab. The FGS took a couple of steps to defeat Al-Shabaab on the front line, they have conducted offensive operations supported by ATMIS and international partners,” said Ambassador Souef.