AU seeks funding for post-ATMIS Somalia mission
The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has demanded adequate, sustainable, and predictable funding for the soon-to-be-established follow-up mission in Somalia.
This is in the wake of the exit of the AU Transition Mission in the Horn of Africa country in December this year.
The AUPSC said in a statement that it welcomes the proposal by the Somalian government for a post-AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) security arrangement and takes note of the request by Somalia for an AU-led, UN-authorised peace support operation to replace the ATMIS from January 1, 2025.
The ATMIS is set to withdraw from Somalia in December this year. However, preparations are underway for a subsequent mission that aims to sustain the ongoing efforts in the conflict against al-Shabaab.
The AUPSC requested the AU Commission to undertake comprehensive and detailed planning based on the situation on the ground, including undertaking threat assessments in consultation with Somalia, ATMIS troop-contributing countries, and the United Nations.
The ATMIS withdrew 5,000 troops from Somalia and handed over 13 military bases to the Somali Security Forces during the first and second phases of the draw-down concluded in 2023.
The AU mission is preparing to withdraw an additional 4,000 troops from Somalia in June this year.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), is a multidimensional mission (military, police and civilian), authorised by the African Union and mandated by the United Nations Security Council – AU Peace and Security Council Communique for 1068th Meeting and UN Security Council Resolution 2628 (2022).
It replaces the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with a clear mandate to fully implement the Somali Transition Plan (STP). ATMIS became operational on 1 April 2022.
