New York, 24 June 2023 – The Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef has asked international partners to commit additional support to boost the capacity of the Somali security forces (SSF) to take over security responsibilities from ATMIS by the end of December 2024.
Ambassador Souef made the appeal on Friday, at a meeting in New York, convened by the AU Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations with Somalia’s international partners. He provided updates on recent developments and perspectives on Somalia and the ongoing ATMIS operations.
The AU Special envoy said increased international support to Somalia, including providing resources and equipment to the Somali security forces, would help to address the challenges that affect the ongoing joint operations and ensure an orderly exit by ATMIS from Somalia.
Ambassador Souef emphasised that as ATMIS prepares to exit Somalia in the next 18 months, the Federal Government of Somalia needs critical support to address its security priorities.
“We now have a conducive environment which allows for a more realistic and collective approach towards supporting Somalia. For the African Union, a realistic approach means we want to see our partners recommit themselves to addressing the emerging challenges confronting the Federal Government of Somalia and ATMIS,” said Ambassador Souef.
He asked international partners to support the capacity building of the security forces’ command and control, the ongoing offensive and stabilisation in newly liberated areas, lifting the arms embargo to enable Somalia to acquire weapons and support efforts that seek to address the root causes of the conflict.
He emphasised that Somalia’s leadership has proven their ability to lead by ensuring the implementation of the National Security Architecture, rebuilding the national army and taking the lead in the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab.
Highlighting the support to ATMIS, Ambassador Souef emphasised that for the AU troops to effectively support the Somali security forces during the transition, ATMIS requires helicopters and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
He cited the recent attack on the ATMIS Forward Operating Base in Bulo Mareer, where the mission had to rely on partners for air support.
“With the necessary enablers and force multipliers, ATMIS can do more to ensure force protection and support Somali Security Forces operationally in the field,” observed Ambassador Souef.
“Sustaining support to ATMIS for the next 18 months is crucial. This will allow the mission to deliver on its mandate and complete the task of supporting the Federal Government of Somalia,” he added.
Ambassador Souef said that increased budgetary funding by partners to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), would lead to increased logistical support for the Somali security forces and an improvement in ATMIS capabilities on the battlefield.
“A successful transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to SSF substantially depends on the latter being supported consistently, sustainably, and predictably. We must therefore continue to explore options to address the funding of SSF and ATMIS,” he said.