The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, Atul Khare, has concluded his visit to Somalia, expressing the UN’s commitment to increasing support for stabilization efforts in the country.
Khare stated in a press release issued in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, that he is pleased with the progress of Somalia’s government institutions in taking on their sovereign responsibility for security. He assured that the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) will do everything possible to ensure that the Somali security forces can fully assume security responsibilities as troops from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) withdraw.
Khare emphasized that for a successful transition, the Somali security forces must take over security responsibilities from the ATMIS with assistance from UNSOS, in line with the plans outlined by the AU and the UN.
During his visit to Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug State, Khare met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other senior officials. They discussed the ongoing military offensive against al-Shabab militants, the withdrawal of ATMIS troops, and UNSOS’ support in post-ATMIS Somalia.
Khare expressed confidence that, under the leadership of President Mohamud, Somalia would triumph over al-Shabab and other armed groups that disrupt peace, security, and hinder the country’s economic prosperity and development.
He also reaffirmed that UNSOS would continue providing medical evacuations for Somali security forces injured in combat. Since January 1st to the end of August, a total of 739 evacuations have been carried out.
Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khalid Omar Ali, expressed gratitude to the UN for its logistical support in the ongoing transfer of security responsibilities. Ali stated, “We are making progress, and we look forward to the UN’s assistance in further growth and self-sufficiency.”
In this month, ATMIS is expected to reduce its troop numbers by an additional 3,000 personnel, following the successful withdrawal of 2,000 troops and the handover of six military bases to Somali forces in June.
Source: Xinhua
