Mogadishu – The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has initiated its drawdown process in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2628(22) and 2670(22). These resolutions mandate the reduction of 2,000 soldiers by the end of June 2023.
ATMIS, with support from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), has transferred the first Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Xaaji Cali in the Hirshabelle State to the Somali National Army (SNA). The FOB was previously under the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of ATMIS Burundi National Defence Forces (BNDF).
During the official handover ceremony, Lt. Col. Richard Bimenyimana, the commander of ATMIS BNDF 2nd Battle Group in Xaaji Cali, formally handed over the facility to Maj. Bashir Abukar Ahmed, the SNA Commander in the area. The event was attended by senior officials from ATMIS and SNA, and chaired by Lt. Col. Collins Musau, the ATMIS Military Staff Officer for Logistics.
Lt. Col. Musau expressed the significance of the collaboration between ATMIS and SNA in promoting stability and security in the region. He stated, “Today’s handing over forms part of the transfer of security responsibilities.”
Maj. Bashir, the SNA commander for Xaaji Cali, expressed gratitude to ATMIS for the facility and emphasized the positive working relationship between ATMIS and SNA troops. He stated, “We have always had good working relations with ATMIS throughout their operations here. Now that they are handing over as mandated, we are happy to take over security responsibilities.”
Highlighting the importance of the handover in fulfilling ATMIS’s mandate, Lt. Col. Bimenyimana, the ATMIS BNDF commander of Xaaji Cali FOB, mentioned the assessment visits conducted by senior leadership teams from ATMIS, SNA, and UNSOS. He stated, “It is a significant step today by ATMIS, following the previous assessment visit to the FOBs.”
As part of the handover process, UNSOS, which provides logistical support to ATMIS, left behind essential equipment including a borehole, water treatment and storage equipment, generators, solar panels, electrical distribution equipment, refrigerators, and freezers.
Xaaji Cali, situated approximately 70km northeast of Mogadishu, is one of the seven FOBs that will be handed over from ATMIS to the SNA by the end of June 2023. In January, ATMIS handed over Maslah FOB to the Federal Government of Somalia, marking progress in the drawdown process.
