Saturday July 8, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) – The SRCC and Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, said that the ATMIS concluded the first part of a phased withdrawal in no way lessened the mission's commitment to peacebuilding, stabilization and reconciliation efforts.
During a press conference held at the Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu on Thursday, Ambassador Souef said ATMIS remains committed to ensuring an efficient and effective transition process that would not compromise the security of the people of Somalia and the hard-earned security gains achieved.
"ATMIS has successfully implemented the drawdown of 2,000 troops. The objective of the drawdown was to facilitate the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces," Ambassador Souef told journalists at a press conference in the capital Mogadishu.
"I extend my congratulations to all ATMIS Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs), the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) for the successful conclusion of the first phase of the ATMIS drawdown from Somalia," the SRCC remarked.
"As part of efforts to support Somali Security Forces and ensure continuity and sustainability of the FOBs that have been handed over, UNSOS offered some equipment that were stationed at the FOBs. It is our believe that the gifted equipment will achieve their purpose," the SRCC observed.
ATMIS, in partnership with the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), last week concluded the successful drawdown of 2,000 troops, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 (2022). Six (06) Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) were handed over to Somali Security Forces (SSF) which include: Xaaji Cali, Miirtuquo, Cadale, Albao, Gherille, Aljazeera 1, while one FOB – Marka Ayub was closed.