African Union forces enabled the Somali government to control several important areas (Anatolia)
The African peacekeeping force in Somalia (ATMIS) announced on Friday the completion of the second phase of its departure from the country, by withdrawing 3,000 soldiers and handing over military bases to the government in Mogadishu.
This step comes after a 3-month suspension in response to a request from the Somali government.
The peacekeeping forces explained that the African Union Transitional Mission handed over 7 forward operating bases to the government, and closed two other bases.
"We will soon begin preparations for the next phase, the third phase, to reduce our numbers by 4,000 soldiers next June," Lieutenant-General Sam Okeding said.
Under a UN timetable, the African Union Transitional Mission will withdraw completely by the end of the year, handing over responsibility to Somali security forces.
The number of soldiers who were withdrawn in the first and second phases reached 5,000. 14,600 members from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are still deployed in Somalia.
An international resolution
It is noteworthy that in April 2022, the Security Council agreed that Atmis would replace the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which was formed in 2007.
Atmis was given an enhanced mandate to fight the Islamist movement Al-Shabaab.
Thanks to African military support, Al-Shabaab was expelled from the main towns and cities in Somalia during the period between 2011 and 2012, but it is still spreading in large areas of rural areas.
The movement continues to launch attacks against security and civilian targets, including the capital, despite a counterattack by government forces, American air strikes, and operations on the ground by the African Union force.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies