New Foreign Force Will Take Over Somalia’s Security When ATMIS Leaves
Together with its foreign partners, Somalia is preparing the way for the arrival of fresh multinational troops when the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is set to leave in December 2024.
The new force, which is expected to consist of 3,000–8,000 soldiers, is expected to be entrusted with protecting airports, foreign community bases, and the State houses of the Federal Member States in Somalia.
The National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, stated that talks are now underway about the creation and deployment of these forces. It’s possible that some of the soldiers from ATMIS will be included in this new army. They will not be fighting Al-Shabaab, but their main objective will be to safeguard vital infrastructure in the city.
The projected force emphasizes how crucial it is to protect vital infrastructure like airports. It is anticipated to operate in Somalia for a duration of 12 months, depending on the security situation. Although the force may function under the African Union’s auspices, official confirmation and other information regarding its deployment have not yet been made public.
This unfortunate development indicates how remote Somalia’s government is to uphold peace and security within its borders.
Troops for the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia were provided by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi.