The African Union is considering a request from the Somali government to reduce the withdrawal of ATMIS peacekeeping forces from Somalia.
An African Union official who requested anonymity told AFP news agency that in May of this year, the Somali government requested the peace and security council of the organization (PSC) to extend the period of withdrawal by three months.
The Somali government wants only 2,000 soldiers to leave in June, while another 2,000 will leave in September.
A Somali government official told AFP that the Mogadishu government has expressed the need to carry out an invasion operation.
Currently, 13,500 ATMIS soldiers are in Somalia.
At a meeting in Addis Ababa, the Security and Peace Committee of the African Union (PSC) is expected to give an answer to Somalia’s request.
However, the United Nations wants the ATMIS troops to be reduced to zero by December 31st through different stages of withdrawal from the country, while the security is handed over to the Somali army and police.
