AU agrees to Somalia's request for post-ATMIS mission

The African Union Peace and Security Council has consented to Somalia's request for a new security arrangement after the full withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops in December this year.

A communique from the council says the AU/UN-authorised peace support operation will commence its operations in January 2025.

"Acting under article 7 of its protocol, the Peace and Security Council welcomes the proposal by the Federal Republic of Somalia for a post-ATMIS Security arrangement in Somalia, and takes note of a request by Somalia for an AU-led, United Nations authorised peace support operation to replace ATMIS from January 1, 2025," the communique states in part.

The decision follows a meeting by the council held on March 26 and finalised on April 3 after a state of Somalia briefing on the proposal for a post-ATMIS mission pursuant to the National Security Council Resolution 2710 (2023).

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• Somalia
• ATMIS
• African Union Transition Mission
• AU agrees to Somalia's request for post-ATMIS mission
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Last year, Somalia requested a technical halt of 3,000 of the second phase of the ATMIS withdrawal to give room for its soldiers to recuperate and re-strategise in order to win the onslaught initiated against the terror group that began a year ago.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud felt that he needed more time to deal with the difficult task of putting pressure on Al-Shabaab and at the same time generate forces that sustain the momentum that according to observers had attained more gains than ever made in the last five years.

The Phase 3 drawdown had been scheduled for June this year, and final exit by December 2024.

Capacity-building

The council notes that the post-ATMIS mission will help continue with capacity-building efforts of the Somali security forces to avoid a security vacuum in the country post-ATMIS.

At the same time, the team will help sustain the progress made in the fight against Al-Shabaab by the Somali Government and the existing ATMIS troops.

Consequently, it has requested the AU Commission to undertake a comprehensive threat assessment and planning ahead of the troops' deployment.

This is to be done in consultation with the Somalia government and the UN, with a report expected by the end of this month.

The council further called for the release of funds to the current ATMIS troops, following claims that some have gone for months without pay.

"There's also a need to ensure adequate, predictable and sustainable financing to the post-ATMIS mission arrangement including through the UN Resolution 2719 (2023)," the communique adds.

Last month, Somalia National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh-Ali said the African Union and the United Nations had agreed to have the "lean" multinational forces of an estimated 3,000 to 8,000 soldiers who will work closely with an equal number of Somali forces before they gradually take over from them within a year or so.

"The mandate of the new forces will be to protect key infrastructure within Somalia, and areas where Somali security forces would use as logistical hubs and also where international agencies and foreign embassies are based," he said at the time.

Alongside military operations, the new mission is expected to offer other stability operations that are of benefit to the people.