Somalia faces uncertainty over the future of the African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS), which is currently in the final phase of its transition to stabilization efforts in the country.
Challenges such as the lack of funding for the new mission, and tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia could threaten ATMIS’ exit plans.
This issue came to light when the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, recently met with the leaders of the countries where ATMIS troops are stationed, such as Burundi, Djibouti, Uganda, and Kenya.
However, the international community has yet to agree on funding for the new mission. Some members of the UN Security Council are reluctant to support the new model of the mission, while the United States and its key allies are pushing for a new peacekeeping mission to be launched in 2026.
On the other hand, United Nations officials have suggested that ATMIS be extended for a period to review the new mission models.
Somalia has insisted that it will have the leadership of the mission and choose the countries that will contribute troops to the mission. Its objective in Somalia is that the Ethiopian forces should not be part of the country and leave the country.
