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Somali President, US Secretary of State discuss post-ATMIS security plans

Peacekeepers with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) stand next to their armored vehicle on a street in Mogadishu, Somalia, May 10, 2022. (Photo: AP)

By Hanifa Adan | Sunday, June 2, 2024

The talks centred on the ongoing fight against terrorist groups and the Somali government's strategic plans following the drawdown of the ATMIS forces.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over security in the Horn of Africa, counterterrorism objectives and post-African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) plans.

According to the Somali presidency, the conversations centred on the ongoing fight against terrorist groups and the Somali government's strategic plans following the drawdown of the ATMIS forces.

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A key point of discussion was the evolving security landscape in Somalia post-ATMIS.

The ATMIS mission, which succeeded the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), has been instrumental in stabilising the region while combating terrorist factions like the Al-Shabaab and supporting the Somali government in rebuilding its security apparatus.

The ATMIS mandate, however, is set to conclude by the end of December 2024, prompting Somalia to seek alternative security arrangements.

Multinational forces

Somalia is actively negotiating with international partners to deploy multinational forces in the country for one year starting January 2025.

Details regarding the exact number of troops and the official designation of the new mission remain under deliberation.

The conversation also covered broader regional security and stability, particularly in the Horn of Africa, a region marked by geopolitical tension and conflict.

They addressed the role of the United Nations Office in Somalia (UNSOM), which has been pivotal in supporting political processes, humanitarian efforts, and human rights initiatives in the country.

AMISOM, established in 2007, played a crucial role in reclaiming territory from Al-Shabaab and providing support for the establishment of federal institutions.

In April 2022, ATMIS replaced AMISOM, continuing the mission with a revised mandate to further build the capacity of Somali security forces and facilitate a gradual transition to full Somali security responsibility.