The African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) held its 1217th meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to deliberate on the future of the AU-led mission in Somalia following the conclusion of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The meeting, chaired by H.E. Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, resulted in a comprehensive resolution outlining the steps for a new security arrangement to be implemented post-ATMIS.
The council reviewed the Report of the African Union Commission on the Joint Strategic Assessment for the Post-ATMIS Security Arrangement. The report highlighted the progress made since the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2007 and its reconfiguration into ATMIS in 2022. The PSC commended Somalia’s efforts and the contributions of ATMIS personnel in combating Al Shabaab and maintaining stability.
PSC expressed concerns about the ongoing offensive operations against Al Shabaab and the potential security gaps arising from the Phase 3 drawdown of ATMIS forces. To address these concerns, the council endorsed a phased approach to the drawdown, dividing the reduction of 4,000 personnel into two tranches: 2,000 by the end of June 2024 and 2,000 by the end of September 2024. This phased approach aims to ensure that Somalia’s security forces can gradually assume full security responsibilities without creating a vacuum that could be exploited by terrorist groups.
The PSC also emphasized the importance of establishing a new AU-led mission to support Somalia’s post-ATMIS security arrangements. The new mission will focus on degrading Al Shabaab, supporting the stabilization and security of Somalia, and assisting in state-building priorities. The council stressed that the mission must have a strong political mandate, adequate funding, and clear benchmarks for the transition of security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Furthermore, the communiqué called for the development of a Concept of Operations (CONOPs) by the AU Commission, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to outline the mandate, configuration, and duration of the new mission. The council also highlighted the need for a dedicated funding mechanism, including UN-assessed contributions, to ensure the financial stability of the mission.
In addition to addressing the security challenges, the PSC underscored the importance of peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction and development in Somalia. The AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Center has been tasked with developing programs to support the new mission and build Somali national capacities.
The council expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the United Nations, the European Union, and other partners. The AU Commission has been directed to transmit the communiqué to the United Nations Security Council and the European Union for authorization and support.
The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the unity, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Somalia. The council will continue to monitor the implementation of the communiqué and remain actively engaged in addressing the security challenges in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region.
