Kenyan President William Ruto and his Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelle discussed the importance of harmonizing the reduction of African Union forces in Somalia with the country’s security capacity.
The two officials who held a press conference in Djibouti appeared to be against the current reduction of ATMIS forces, as it cannot be confirmed that Somalia has the ability to effectively fight Al-Shabaab.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is expected to reduce 2,000 soldiers by June 30, so that security responsibility is transferred to the security forces of the Somali government.
Ruto and Geelle insisted on the need to preserve what they called the achievements of ATMIS.
“As the countries that have contributed troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), we have agreed that the next IGAD summit will discuss the transition plan for Somalia while maintaining the achievements of AMISOM/ATMIS.”
They added that the reduction should ensure that the Somali security forces take control of the areas that have been removed from the control of the Al-Shabaab group.
Both the Federal Government of Somalia and ATMIS have confirmed their commitment to facilitate the smooth transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali Armed Forces.
Last Friday, the Ministry of Defense announced that 2000 ATMIS soldiers will be reduced by the end of June, in order to implement Security Council Resolution 2670.
