The African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) handed over the Barire military base to the Somali security forces as part of its move to begin the third-round troop withdrawal from the horn African nation, ATMIS said over the weekend in a statement.
“The withdrawal of ATMIS’ troops from the horn of African country will not create a security vacuum,” ATMIS quoted Mohamed El-Amine Souef, AU Special Representative to Somalia as saying.
ATMIS stated that the military base, which is located in the Lower Shabelle region under the ATMIS Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces since 2019, holds strategic significance as it serves as a buffer zone about 60km west of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
“Together, we will continue to work towards a brighter future for Somalia, one built on cooperation, mutual respect and the common goal of finding lasting peace,” said Mbuusi, who handed over the base to Muhudin Ahmed, the Somali National Army (SNA) representative.
Ahmed lauded ATMIS Uganda troops for their commitment to the transition and their sacrifice in ensuring peace is returns to Somalia.
He said the SNA would continue to secure Barire town and its inhabitants from Al-Shabaab attacks and other illegal armed groups.
The AU mission withdrew 5,000 troops from Somalia and handed over 17 military bases to the Somali Security Forces during the first and second phases of the drawdown concluded in 2023.
The third phase of the ATMIS drawdown is in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628 (2022), 2670 (2022), and 2710 (2023), which mandate ATMIS to withdraw 4,000 troops by the end of June 2024.
MG/GIK/APA