MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News)-About 1000 soldiers serving under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) are expected to be pulled out of Somalia in line with the United Nation Security Council resolution.
In a statement, the Mission said the resolution authorises the member states of the African Union to reduce the number of uniformed AMISOM personnel by February 28 without “further delay”.
Consultations between Hirshabelle President, Mohamed Abdi Waare and the senior leadership of AMISOM had focused on the planned cut back in troops from Burundi.
“The Resolution authorises the member states of the African Union to reduce the number of uniformed AMISOM personnel by 28 February 2019 without “further delay,” the statement reads in part.
The first reduction of troops from Somalia was undertaken in December 2017.
“We have been discussing with President Waare on how we can implement the Transition Plan in a manner that still ensures security in his state,” Madeira said after a closed-door with President Waare.
Burundi troops operating under AMISOM have their main base in Jowhar, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State and several Forward Operating Bases in the State.
“The transition plan is finally becoming a reality, and there are painful decisions that have to be taken,” President Waare observed.
The HirShabelle President expressed concern that if hurriedly implemented, the troops’ drawdown would leave his State vulnerable to attacks.
He noted that there is still work to be done to ensure successful implementation of the Transition Plan, adding that HirShabelle State will closely work with AMISOM to ensure gains made in stabilising the country is not eroded.
Discussion about this post