A total of 734 soldiers from the Burundian contingent of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia have returned to Burundi between 23-27 December, 2024.
Their return home is part of the implementation of the 2nd phase of the withdrawal of ATMIS forces as planned in resolution 2710 of the United Nations Security Council.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia continue to hand over security responsibilities to Somali government forces.
For example, ATMIS handed over security control of the State House – also known as Villa Somalia — where Somali President Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resides and works (Ugandan forces have been protecting Villa Somalia for the past 16 years).
Additionally, troops turned over responsibilities of the parliament building, which is not far from the presidential palace.
Since 2007, AU forces have been securing strategic sites in the capital, including the palace, the parliament building, airport and seaport.
Somali forces now take sole responsibility for the main seats of the executive and legislative branches of government.
AU envoy to Somalia and the head of ATMIS, Mohamed El-Amine Souef noted last week, the mission will withdraw 3,000 soldiers by the 31st.
The mission will hand over responsibilities for 10 bases in this phase of the drawdown.
Meanwhile, Somalia has been building its security apparatus through agressive training and equipping.
Somalia is generating land forces of up to 30,000 excluding Special Forces, navy and air force, a police force of 40,000 at federal and regional levels, and 8,500 members of the custodial corps, who work in the prison system.
Hussein Sheikh-Ali, the national security adviser to the president of Somalia, said, “We have reached the number that is required but it requires thorough reform to ensure the number and the quality match in order to have a professional army that can take responsibility from ATMIS.”
“Now the government of Somalia has the capability and the possibility to acquire the required arms and appropriate equipment and ammunition, so then they will be in a good position to fight against the enemy, so I think they have the capability,” he said.
“I think they are ready because what we say, where there is a will there is a way,” Souef said when asked if Somali authorities are ready this time to take over responsibilities.
