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Talks on Second Phase of AU Mission Drawdown in Somalia Begin, ATMIS Head Says
Talks on Second Phase of AU Mission Drawdown in Somalia Begin, ATMIS Head Says
Sputnik Africa
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), mandated by the United Nations Security Council and authorized by the African Union, was launched last... 26.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-26T19:00+0200
2023-08-26T19:00+0200
2023-08-27T10:32+0200
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Senior officials of the African Union (AU), Somalia and the United Nations (UN) have begun consultative meetings in the capital Mogadishu to discuss the upcoming second phase of troop withdrawal in September, the special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of ATMIS Mohamed El-Amine Souef said.In September, ATMIS plans to withdraw another 3,000 troops. In June, It successfully drew down 2,000 troops and handed over six military bases.A joint technical committee, which includes representatives of ATMIS, the Somalian government and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), held a meeting to define the military bases, from which the 3,000 troops will be withdrawn, according to Souef.The official noted that the drawdown ought to be "seamlessly" carried out in order to not lose the achieved results.Souef also praised the government, the UN and ATMIS for their efforts in implementing the first phase of the drawdown.In addition, the Head of UNSOS Aisa Kirabo Kacyira focused the committee's attention on the need to take into account the lessons learned from the first phase of the drawdown so that the second one is carried out successfully.According to UN Security Council Resolution 2687 (2023), the first phase of the drawdown must be evaluated by Somalia and the AU by the end of August and, by September, they are required to provide the information about the preparations for the second one.Under the UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670, ATMIS started last April, aiming to ensure that the country's government "gradually assumes greater security responsibilities" on its territory.Notably, Somalia's Defense Ministry recently announced an increase in counter-terrorism efforts. Last week, the ministry revealed that the Somali National Army was preparing to launch a major offensive against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.Since the mid-2000s, Somali authorities have been fighting against al-Shabaab, which seeks to take control of the country. The terrorist group is also active in Ethiopia and Kenya.* al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIL/ ISIS/ IS) are terrorist groups banned in Russia and many other countries
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230722/au-lauds-somali-forces-for-preventing-attack-on-military-bases-1060695669.html
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230817/somalia-to-launch-major-military-offensive-against-notorious-al-shabaab-terrorists-1061395678.html
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Talks on Second Phase of AU Mission Drawdown in Somalia Begin, ATMIS Head Says
19:00 26.08.2023 (Updated: 10:32 27.08.2023) The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), mandated by the United Nations Security Council and authorized by the African Union, was launched last April to combat the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab* and set "a phased handover" of security responsibilities to Somali security forces.
Senior officials of the African Union (AU), Somalia and the United Nations (UN) have begun consultative meetings in the capital Mogadishu to discuss the upcoming second phase of troop withdrawal in September, the special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of ATMIS Mohamed El-Amine Souef said.
In September, ATMIS plans to withdraw another 3,000 troops. In June, It successfully drew down 2,000 troops and
handed over six military bases.
A joint technical committee, which includes representatives of ATMIS, the Somalian government and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), held a meeting to define the military bases, from which the 3,000 troops will be withdrawn, according to Souef.
The official noted that the drawdown ought to be "seamlessly" carried out in order to not lose the achieved results.
"Since we have active combat operations ongoing, the planning of the drawdown must be well synchronized and seamlessly executed, so the gains made thus far are not jeopardized," he emphasized.
Souef also praised the government, the UN and ATMIS for their efforts in implementing the first phase of the drawdown.
In addition, the Head of UNSOS Aisa Kirabo Kacyira focused the committee's attention on the need to take into account the lessons learned from the first phase of
the drawdown so that the second one is carried out successfully.
"The UN will ensure the equipment and other facilities handed over to the Somali security forces by exiting ATMIS troops are in good condition and the Somali forces are capacitated on how to use them," Kacyira said.
According to UN Security Council Resolution 2687 (2023), the first phase of the drawdown must be evaluated by Somalia and the AU by the end of August and, by September, they are required to provide the information about the preparations for the second one.
Under the UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670, ATMIS started last April, aiming to ensure that the country's government "gradually assumes greater security responsibilities" on its territory.
Notably, Somalia's Defense Ministry recently announced an increase in counter-terrorism efforts. Last week, the ministry revealed that the Somali National Army was
preparing to launch a major offensive against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Since the mid-2000s, Somali authorities have been fighting against al-Shabaab, which seeks to take control of the country. The terrorist group is also active in Ethiopia and
Kenya.
* al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIL/ ISIS/ IS) are terrorist groups banned in Russia and many other countries
