UK provides Sh1.2 billion to support ATMIS troops ahead of Somalia exit

The African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has received close to Sh1.2 billion from the United Kingdom to support its phased-out transition from the country and also cover stipends for its troops.

UK's Embassy in Mogadishu said the funds will go a long way in protecting Somali civilians as they work to ensure a more stable and secure Somalia.

"The new funding will fund military stipends for troops from the five troop-contributing countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda) and will help ATMIS to complete its mandate of a phased handover of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces. The activities of ATMIS are crucial to Somalia's journey towards security and stability, but these require consistent international support," the Embassy said in a statement.

ATMIS is preparing to hand over its responsibilities to the newly established mission, the AU Stabilisation and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is expected to take over in January 2025.

"By supporting ATMIS, we are not only investing in Somalia's security today but also in its stability and prosperity tomorrow. I encourage traditional and non-traditional partners to financially support the successor mission to ATMIS to ensure a secure and stable future for all Somalis and the region," British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis said.

Somalia's Defence Minister, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, said the funding is critical in supporting the efforts of ATMIS and Somali Security Forces.

"We appreciate the UK's continued partnership in rebuilding a safer and more secure Somalia. The continued support of our partners will remain vital as we work towards a sustainable security environment in our country."

The African Union's (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS), Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, urged other partners to follow the UK's example and invest in Somalia's security to ensure lasting peace and stability in Somalia and the wider region.

The amount builds on earlier contributions and increases the total amount of financial support from the United Kingdom to both ATMIS and AMISOM since 2021 to Sh14.16 billion (£77 million) that has gone towards efforts to promote Somalia's security by combatting Al-Shabaab and reducing the group's influence.

Meanwhile, efforts to source funding for the upcoming mission have begun with representatives from the Somalia Quint Group announcing that securing financial support for the mission was crucial to avoid a security vacuum upon the exit of ATMIS in December.

The group consisting of the UK, US, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE said any delay in funding or mission implementation could leave Somalia vulnerable to renewed Al-Shabaab offensives.