The command of the US forces said that the Somali people can play a strong role in order to prevent Al-Shabaab from returning to control the areas they were removed from, when the African Union troops leave the country at the end of this year.
Gen Michael Langley, the Commander of the United States Forces in Africa (Africom) said that there are attacks that can be expected from the Al-Shabaab group, who want to take advantage of the loopholes resulting from the withdrawal of the African Union troops from ATMIS. But he argued that this expectation can be removed if the people play a role in the fight against al-Shabaab.
“Al-Shabaab wants to take advantage of any security vacuum by harassing the security forces. The Somali Armed Forces have realized this and are preparing their defense to be able to control the bases they have been transferred to,” Langley said in a press conference a few days after his trip to Somalia.
Langley met with the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and listened to a report on the way to fight Al Shabaab and prevent their return when the Atmis forces leave.
