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The Security Council yesterday endorsed the end of Amisom, the African Union mission in Somalia, and created a new peacekeeping force led by the transitional African Union, Atmis. This transition mission will see its workforce gradually reduced to zero by the end of 2024 and its mission is to fight against the Shebab jihadists.
With our correspondent in New York, Carrie Nooten
The creation of the Atmis endorses the gradual withdrawal of the 20,000 international troops and police from Somalia who until now made up Amisom. Nearly 2,000 soldiers are expected to leave the force by the end of 2022, with more to follow in four phases. The objective is to achieve that the Atmis no longer has any man at the end of December 2024.
Joint operations with the Somalis
The main objective of this new mission is to conduct joint operations with Somali forces to counter the Shebab jihadists. This affiliate is the largest and best funded of all al-Qaeda branches. The Atmis will also have to ensure the protection of local communities, UN personnel, as well as assist in the re-establishment of the presence of the State.
For more than a year, Mogadishu demanded the withdrawal of the African Union forces which ensured maintaining peace and security in the Horn of Africa for 15 years. A request consistent with its transition plan for Somalia in 2021, but which the African Union and the European Union – Amisom’s main financier – had difficulty accepting.
Somalia must ensure its own security
The Security Council reiterated that its objective was for Somalia to ensure its own security. For this, he invites him not to delay his electoral process any longer.