AU mission closes two military bases in the second phase of troop drawdown in Somalia

Summary:

• ATMIS, supported by UNSOS, reduced troop count by 3000 soldiers in Somalia. Seven FOBs transferred to FGS, two closed. Official ceremony marks transfer of control to FGS.

---

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), aided by logistical support from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), has successfully completed the second phase drawdown. This phase entailed a reduction of 3000 soldiers from its troop count.

ATMIS has transferred seven Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and closed two others. The transferred FOBs include State House and Parliament from ATMIS Uganda People’s Defence Forces in Sector One; Bio Cadale, Raga Ceel, and Qorillow from ATMIS Burundi National Defence Forces in Sector Five; Burahache from ATMIS Kenya Defence Forces in Sector Two; and Old Airport from ATMIS Ethiopia National Defence Forces in Sector Six.

The FOBs located in Sarille and Old Kismayo Airport have been closed. The former belonged to ATMIS Kenya Defence Forces in Sector Six, while the latter was under Sector Two.

During an official ceremony in Mogadishu, the African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, along with Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, signed the Land Release Title Agreement. This agreement symbolizes the formal transfer of control from ATMIS to the Federal Government of Somalia.

Follow @examinerug