Mogadishu (SONNA) – The Conference of Chiefs of Defence Forces of the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia concluded today in Mogadishu, marking a pivotal moment in the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the new Assistance and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Held from November 30 to December 4, 2024, the conference was chaired by the Somali Minister of Defense, Mr. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and brought together key military leaders and representatives from Somalia, Djibouti, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, the African Union, the ATMIS Mission, and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). The primary focus was on devising a comprehensive plan for the transition as ATMIS concludes its mandate on December 31, 2024.
During the conference, several significant outcomes were highlighted:
- Welcoming the AUSSOM Mission: The attendees welcomed the new AUSSOM mission, emphasizing the importance of leveraging lessons learned from ATMIS to bolster Somali security.
- Commendation of the Federal Government of Somalia: The Federal Government of Somalia was commended for its collaborative efforts and strategic planning for the post-ATMIS era.
- Commitment to Peace and State-Building: The troop-contributing countries reaffirmed their commitment to supporting peace and state-building initiatives in Somalia.
- Support for Unity and Sovereignty: The participants emphasized their support for preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia.
- Establishment of Coordination Mechanisms: The conference proposed the establishment of coordination mechanisms at strategic, operational, and technical levels to ensure smooth transition and effective implementation of AUSSOM.
- Strategic Stationing of AUSSOM: Governments agreed on a plan to develop strategic areas where AUSSOM will be stationed to maximize its impact.
- Appeal for International Support: The international community was urged to continue providing financial and equipment support to the new AUSSOM mission.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to further consolidate the achievements made under ATMIS and to support the Federal Government of Somalia’s plans to enhance national security. The collaborative effort aims to ensure a seamless transition and sustained progress in stabilizing Somalia.
