Sunday July 9, 2023
The African Union Director of Conflict Management in the Political Affairs Peace and Security Department, Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, shakes hands with a senior ATMIS military officer at the ATMIS Force Headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 5 July 2023. ATMIS Photo/ Steven Candia
Mogadishu (HOL) – A delegation from the African Union, led by the Director of Conflict Management, Dr. Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, has completed a four-day visit to Somalia. The delegation was there to discuss the next stage of troop withdrawal, which is part of a broader transition process.
"We came here to discuss and engage with ATMIS, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and the United Nations, and other International partners on the transition processes and the requirements of the new United Nations Security Council Resolution 2687 (2023)," stated Dr. Bah.
The first phase of the transition involved a drawdown of 2,000 troops from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the handover of six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to the Somali Security Forces. The upcoming second phase, scheduled to start in September, will see the withdrawal of another 3,000 troops.
Commending the progress of the Somali-led security transformation, Dr. Bah praised the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. "It is a sign of progress... It is also a clear demonstration that the Federal Government of Somalia is stepping forward to take over what is their primary responsibility, the safety and security of Somalia," he said.