The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has handed over two more bases to the Somali National Army (SNA) as part of the gradual reduction of the contingent in the country, the mission said in a statement.
The bases transferred include Cadale in the Hirshabelle State which was occupied by the Burundi National Defense Forces and Albao in Southwest State, which was under the responsibility of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces.
The number of military bases handed over now amounts to six, according to the mission.
The Somali military leadership commended the mission for its cooperation and assured that local forces were prepared to ensure the country's security.
"SNA will take over the bases, secure the whole country and defeat al-Shabaab terrorists who continue to spill Somali blood," said Col. Saney, the Somali National Army Brigade Commander in Cadale. "We have made progress in the war against al-Shabaab, and we will stay the course and defeat them."
On Tuesday, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mission's mandate by six months to December to support the government's preparation for the second phase and the mission's troop reduction.
In mid-June, Somalia increased its civilian workforce by 23,000, most of whom will work in the security sector, as the country seeks to rebuild its armed forces and other security services ahead of the withdrawal of the African Union mission.
The ATMIS, which commenced last April, is charged with carrying out peacekeeping operations against the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab that is waging an armed struggle against the central government of Somalia.
*a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other countries