Section of KDF soldiers return home as ATMIS withdrawal from Somalia continues

A group of Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has returned home, marking a step in the phased withdrawal of troops.

The move comes as preparations are underway for the African Union Stabilisation Support Mission (AUSSOM), which is scheduled to begin operations in January 2025.

The soldiers who arrived over the weekend will undergo a routine post-deployment counselling programme before their transition back to their families and civilian life.

"We are proud of you and congratulations on completing your tour of duty. We appreciate you for upholding high levels of professionalism and discipline, enabling you to effectively execute your mandate," said Brigadier Jackson Lesaiyo, Commander of Embakasi Garrison, as he welcomed the soldiers after their arrival.

Kenya is part of the troops contributing countries to the war against the Al-Shabaab terror group in Somalia that will remain in Somalia after 2024 as the new Mission-African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) that takes over in January 2025.

As part of this, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Nairobi on Monday night as part of his ongoing official tour of ATMIS troops contributing countries.

His visit follows a similar tour of Burundi, Uganda, and Djibouti.

During the visits, he joined his hosts in paying tributes to soldiers who died on the front lines fighting the terrorist group and discussed the security situation in Somalia and the funding options for the new mission.

The same is expected to happen during his two-day official visit to Nairobi.

Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Djibouti are among the five countries that have contributed their troops to the ATMIS mission, including Ethiopia, which is currently in frosty relations with Somalia.

Consequently, President Hassan's itinerary will exclude Addis Ababa.