The UK Government has announced an additional £7.5 million in support for the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), bringing the total to £77 million in support of peacekeeping forces in Somalia since 2021. – the one.
UK aid will provide allowances to troops in Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, who are the backbone of the ATMIS operation.
The British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, said that the UK is committed to improving Somalia’s security. Nithavrianakis also called for more international support, urging allies to contribute to Somalia’s security efforts.
Somalia’s Minister of Defence, A/Qadir Mohamed Noor, praised the UK donation, saying “This funding is important to support the efforts of ATMIS and the security forces in Somalia. We are deeply grateful for the continued cooperation of the UK, as we work towards building a secure Somalia.
ATMIS is set to be completed in December 2024, as part of its withdrawal plan from Somalia, with the Somali National Army (SNA) and local forces taking over. This transition will end with the launch of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in January 2025.