The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has resolved to withdraw an additional 1000 troops from the regional peacekeeping mission in preparation for the anticipated exit. The withdrawal is expected to be completed by the end of February as the mission seeks to hand over the security to the Federal Government of Somalia as stipulated in the AMISOM exit strategy.
According to AMISOM, the decision was reached after the military commanders resolved to take the next step. The meeting agreed to implement the drawdown as per the timelines and to further study the implications to ensure mitigation of potential risks of reversing the security gains so far achieved.
Under a transition plan agreed in 2017, AMISOM is also required to conduct gradual handover to Somali security forces, secure main supply routes, reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and conduct targeted offensive operations that support the transition plan, among other deliverables.
While AMISOM is regretful of the drawdown, the mission is obligated to adhere to the transition plan and as such, it is within the mission’s mandate to step up operations against al Shabaab despite the dwindling numbers. The withdrawal comes at a time when the al Shabaab appears to have changed its tactics and increased attacks on high-security targets. AMISOM has however maintained that mitigatory measures have been set up to ensure that the security of Somalia is not compromised as well as the gains made with the past couple of years have not been undone.
