Kenya and Somalia Advocate for Seamless Shift to New AU Security Initiative

Kenya and Somalia: Building Bridges on Security and Cooperation

In a recent pow-wow at Nairobi’s State House, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Kenyan President William Ruto rolled up their sleeves to hash out a seamless handover for regional security. This pivotal transfer, set to launch in January 2025, will see the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) morph into the newly minted African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Monday saw President Mohamud touchdown in Kenya’s bustling capital for an in-depth chinwag with President Ruto, zeroing in on security nuances and nurturing ties between their nations.

A joint statement emerged from Nairobi on Tuesday, where President Ruto gave a nod to AUSSOM’s inception. He hailed the fresh mission as a beacon of progress, poised to pick up where ATMIS left off.

President Mohamud tipped his hat to President Ruto for his endeavors in propping up Somalia’s nation-building cares and fostering peace in the Horn of Africa. “The Kenya Defence Forces have been fundamental allies in quashing terrorism alongside Somali troops and other African comrades,” Mohamud noted.

The communiqué underscored the pressing need for bolstering AUSSOM with adequate dollars, encouraging the exploration of every conceivable funding stream.

President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s stand-by commitment to Somalia, congratulating Mohamud on Somalia’s new role in the United Nations Security Council come 2025-2026. He emphasized Somalia’s emerging influence in steering global conversations on tranquility and security amid pivotal changes in global governance.

Diving deeper into regional headlines, both leaders stressed the paramount need to safeguard peace across the Horn of Africa, advocating for each country’s territorial respect and sovereignty.

This meet-up mirrored Mohamud’s diplomatic tango with Uganda, Burundi, and Djibouti chiefs, showcasing Somalia’s dedication to a slick transition of security duties.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

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