Less than 20 months before the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia formally exits the stage, officials in Mogadishu say they are willing to prolong the stay of the regional force, signalling the challenge of beating down Al-Shabaab…
The EastAfrican has learnt that Mogadishu has launched a shuttle diplomacy to lobby the international community and influential leaders in the region to agree to the extension, a move likely to bring in consequences ranging from sustainability and mandate of the Mission.
The African Union Peace and Security Council is expected to convene on April 27 to discuss the future of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis), following repeated calls and signals that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud wants the force to stay beyond its December 31 2024 exit date. The initial plan was for the draw-down to begin in June and be completed by December next year.
Nothing concrete yet
But a source close to the peacekeeping mission told The EastAfrican the proposal to extend the tenure of Atmis “has been mooted” but there is nothing concrete yet as the idea is “still in the corridors” of the Federal Government of Somalia leaders and some other stakeholders that Mogadishu has reached out to.
Uganda People’s Defence Force Spokesperson Brig-Gen Felix Kulayigye said he supports the Somali president’s efforts to lobby for a longer stay for the force that has been deployed in the deadly conflict for the last 15 years, battling al-Shabaab militants.
