PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate release)
ATMIS PR/08/2023
ATMIS commends the UN Secretary-General for support to Somalia
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) welcomes the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres to Somalia.
The Secretary-General’s visit is a sign of his unwavering support of the various commitments made to Somalia by international partners and ratified by the United Nations Security Council.
Under the leadership of Secretary-General Guterres, ATMIS has enjoyed a strong and cordial working relationship with UN agencies in its efforts to stabilize Somalia.
“The support to ATMIS military, police and civilian personnel by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) has enabled the Mission to realize major achievements since becoming operational,” says the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and the Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef.
For instance, the logistical support offered to ATMIS, and the Somali National Army (SNA) has contributed to the success of joint military operations conducted in various parts of the country.
“The joint military operations by ATMIS military and Somali National Army has degraded the Al -Shabaab and resulted in the liberation of huge chunks of territory extending the Federal Government’s presence in the country,” observed Ambassador Souef.
In addition, ATMIS Police continues to support the capacity-building of the Somali security forces through recruitment and training of new personnel who upon graduation are deployed to various parts of the country to maintain law and order.
With the help of the UN agencies and other partners, ATMIS has managed to establish numerous quick-impact projects including police stations, schools, medical centres and boreholes in liberated areas to facilitate community recovery.
The logistical support offered by UNSOS has made it possible for ATMIS Military to secure major supply routes, easing not only the movement of goods and services but also the delivery of critical humanitarian aid supplies to far-flung areas.
As part of the phased handover of security responsibilities to Somalia ATMIS, working closely with UNSOS has already handed over several Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and other critical infrastructure to the Federal Government in line with the UN resolution 2628.
The Mission remains committed to meeting key timelines including the gradual drawdown of troops ahead of the expiry of its mandate in December 2024 as per the UN resolution 2670.
“We would like to express our satisfaction with the preparatory measures being undertaken by the Federal Government to take over the full security responsibilities once ATMIS forces exit Somalia” Ambassador Souef adds.
ATMIS assures Secretary-General Guterres of its commitment to peace and stability in Somalia.
“We will continue working closely with the Federal Government in its efforts to improve security, promote inclusive dialogue and local reconciliation and expand service delivery in all parts of the country,” noted Ambassador Souef.
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For more information contact
Snr. Communications Officer Ms. Gifty Bingley
or Force Spokesperson Lt. Col. A. Ganale
Email: atmismediacenter@gmail.com
Cell phone: (Somalia) +252 617 682 175/+252 613 665 356; (Nairobi) +254 722 586005