The African Union [AU] and the Somali federal government have agreed on the future of the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM], less than four months before the end of their mandate. A joint statement issued by the AU and FGS on Sunday said a number of issues had been resolved. Issues addressed include a move to extend the military presence in Somalia until stability is achieved. A Resolution adopted in June agreed for the forces to stay in Somalia until December 2021 before they depart for their countries; however it now appears that there is change in the planned schedule. The parties agreed to accelerate the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan [STP], which will lead to operational forces handing over responsibility for security to the Somali National Army [SNA] that will gradually be implemented. Previously, STP was scheduled to be implemented in December 2021. Also, the two sides agreed that since the terrorist group remains a serious threat to the country and therefore needed to work together to combat it altogether. A clear map has been provided of how this can be achieved in the coming months.
Under the agreement, AMISOM command control will be improved; It also calls for greater joint operations with the police to ensure urgent address to threats to security. The statement ruled that the AU had downplayed a recent assessment by AU experts proposing the creation of a joint force between the UN and the AU after December 2021 although the draft agreement did not mention. Somalia has opposed the experts’ proposal. AMISOM in Somalia comprises nearly 22 000 troops operating in different regions of the country. Some contributing troops include Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Burundi.
