PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate release)
ATMIS PR/14/2023
Mogadishu– The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef has congratulated the people and the Federal Government of Somalia on the occasion of the 63rd Independence anniversary.
Ambassador Souef said this year’s Independence Day comes at a time when the country is witnessing the longest period of relative peace and security since 1991. He noted that the country has made remarkable strides towards building the necessary capacities of its security forces such as force generation and critical reforms to take over full security responsibilities when ATMIS leaves in December 2024.
“I commend the Government and the good people of Somalia for the determination in the relentless push to ensure lasting peace and stability in the country”. Said Ambassador Souef.
The SRCC reiterated ATMIS resolve to continue supporting the ongoing Somali-led peace and security process to ensure a successful handover of full security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces.
“In this regard, ATMIS has started drawdown of its troops from Somalia in line with the Somali Transition Plan and UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 (2022). The drawdown of 2000 troops is expected to be completed by end of this month with three of the seven Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) already handed over to the Somali National Army”. He said.
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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