ADDIS ABABA, April 1, 2022: The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has effectively taken over from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), in line with the decision of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) during its 1068th meeting held on 08 March 2022, mandating the ATMIS to support the Federal Government of Somalia in the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan and to transfer security responsibilities to the Somali security forces and institutions.
“AMISOM achieved significant gains over the past 15 years in support of the emergence of a capable Somali National Army, a professional Somali Police Force and Federal institutions. This new adapted mission mandate reflects the evolving situation in the country, and the African Union’s continued commitment to support the sisterly nation of Somalia in its pursuit to restore lasting peace, security, and stability”, said the AU Commission Chairperson, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat. From its inception in 2007, the objective of AMISOM was to help restore security and stability, promote dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusivity, as well as consolidate progress towards achieving a secure, united, peaceful, democratic, and developed Somalia.
The AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, indicated that, “Building on the experiences and lessons of AMISOM, ATMIS, is designed to be more agile, more mobile, more flexible and configured to have quick reaction forces and corresponding force enablers, as well as multipliers to better respond to emerging and evolving security threats.” He added that, “Through ATMIS, the African Union will also realign its mission components and deployments across Somalia to better prepare the Somali Security Forces to take over security responsibilities of the country by 31 December 2024, as guided by the Somalia Transition Plan. This will be done by prioritizing force generation, mobilization and integration as well as enhanced operational competence, and logistical support of ATMIS and the Somali Security Forces”.
It must be noted that the changes and challenges in Somalia require a multifaceted and comprehensive approach to security by earnestly seeking to address the security, political and governance facets of the Somali crisis. In this respect, ATMIS – which started operating on 1 April 2022 – will be a full-fledged multidimensional mission able to support the development of Somali Security Forces and state institutions. While transition is a complex process, the African Union, the Federal Government of Somalia and Somalia’s international partners are committed to the success of ATMIS to assist Somalia achieve durable peace and reconciliation and to ensure significant strides towards economic and social development.