In Mogadishu, work is bustling on the blueprint and bankroll strategies for the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, set to replace ATMIS a mere three months down the line.
The word on the street, according to an ATMIS announcement, is that talks sparked on September 24 when a combined crew from the AU/UN touched down in Mogadishu. With a hand from the Somali Federal Government, troop donors, and international pals, they’re hustling to whip up a thorough report on the mission’s framework and the dough needed, all aligned with UN Security Council resolution 2748 set for the year 2024.
Aiming to hit the UN Security Council deadline by November 2024, the team divvied up the tasks between the AU, Somali authorities, and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, which handles logistics for ATMIS and the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF).
“These talks have been enlightening, making the transition smoother and fostering a sense of ownership for the mission’s next chapter. We’ve been deep-diving into the nitty-gritty details of what’s next since the FGS, AMISOM, and ATMIS have made significant headway, but it’s crucial to shrink ATMIS’s role to fit the newbie’s needs,” shared General Cheick Dembele, the top AU honcho for Peace Support Operations.
“The contribution of our international allies highlights their steadfast dedication to Somalia’s peace journey, providing critical insights into transition plans and possible finance avenues pivotal for AUSSOM’s rollout,” he added.
As the AU endeavors to bolster its reactions, the moolah on hand isn’t matching up to the colossal peace and security obstacles facing Africa, a report from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) mentioned last month. Just looking at the figures, the ATMIS annual operating cost rung in at about $1.5 billion in 2023. If AUSSOM launches with a comparable price tag, following the UN Resolution 2719’s 75%:25% cost-sharing formula, the AU’s bill would reach $375 million ― tapping into 61.5% of its current budget. The leftover $235 million of the $610 million will struggle to cover other gigs like the Multinational Joint Task Force and peacemaking activities, ISS noted.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
