ATMIS begins handover of bases to Somalia National Army ahead of withdraw

The drawdown of 2000 African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops by the end of June 2023 started on Tuesday with the handover of Xaaji Cali Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Hirshabelle State to Somalia National Army (SNA).  

The base which was manned by Burundi soldiers under ATMIS Commanded Lt. Col. Richard Binyenimana has been  handed  over to SNA Commander, Maj. Bashir Abukar Ahmed at a ceremony attended by senior  ATMIS and UN officials.

In line with the UN Resolution 2670, ATMIS is expected to drawdown 2000 troops by the end of this month in a phased hand over of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces in the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan. The AU peace Mission is expected to fully exit Somalia by 31 December 2024.  

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia affirms their commitment to facilitate a smooth transfer of security responsibilities to the Somalia security forces in line with the Somali Transition Plan. 

Speaking at a joint press briefing held at the Villa Somalia in Mogadishu earlier this , the SRCC and Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, and the Somalia Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Daud Aweis, said operations against Al-Shabaab to liberate remaining territories under their control were ongoing in various parts of the country.  

“I wish to reaffirm our commitment to implementing the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces in line with the Somali Transition Plan and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. In this regard, ATMIS has finalized plans to commence the drawdown of 2000 troops which must be done by end of this month,” SRCC Souef said. 

Amb. Souef expressed confidence that the FGS has generated sufficient forces to take over security responsibilities once ATMIS troops leave.  

“I have full confidence in the capabilities of the Somali Security Forces. The SNA has over the last one year shown growing ability to conduct military operations against the terrorists group. I wish to sincerely commend the leadership of His Excellency Hassan 

Sheikh Mohamud in ensuring force generation as well as bringing onboard various segments of the Somali public in the fight against Al-Shabaab,” he noted.