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New AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia Officially Commences Operations

16:36, 1 January 2025

Muhammad Nooh Osman

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After the fall of Somalia's central government in 1991, the country descended into a protracted civil war in which warlords, Islamist groups, clan militias, and other armed factions seized control. Since 2007, the Somali National Armed Forces have been supported by successive African Union and United Nations missions.

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The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has officially become operational, announced the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Mohamed El-Amine Souef.

"AUSSOM has finally become operational, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, as per UN Security Council Resolution 2767 (2024)," the AU official said in a statement. "It will build on the achievements made under ATMIS (AU Transitional Mission in Somalia) to ensure Somalia realizes long-term peace and security."

According to Souef, the AU, through its Peace and Security Council, will continue to support AUSSOM and the Somali army.

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He added that the transfer of forward bases from ATMIS last year was a testament to the growing capacity of these forces to independently secure peace and stability in Somalia.

The AU Peace and Security Council decided to replace ATMIS with AUSSOM at the request of the Somali government, which needs support to repel attacks by terrorist groups.

The country's army has about 32,000 troops, but the government has told the AU that it is short about 11,000 trained troops because of high rates of fighting and attrition.