Saturday September 9, 2023
Atul Khare, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, has concluded his four-day visit to Somalia, vowing increased support from the UN for stabilization efforts in the country.
“I am pleased to see the government institutions of Somalia preparing themselves to take on their sovereign security responsibilities,” said Khare in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Thursday evening.
In order to achieve a successful transition, as envisioned by the African Union (AU) and the UN, Khare emphasized that the Somali security forces must assume full control of security responsibilities previously held by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), with assistance from the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
During his visit to the capital of Galmudug State, Dhusamareb, Khare engaged in meetings with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and other high-ranking officials. Discussions revolved around the ongoing military offensive against al-Shabab militants, the withdrawal of ATMIS troops, and UNSOS support in post-ATMIS Somalia.
“Under the leadership of the president, I have confidence that Somalia will emerge victorious in the battle against al-Shabab and other armed groups that seek to disrupt peace, security, and hinder the country’s economic progress and development,” Khare expressed.
Additionally, Khare stated that the UNSOS will continue to provide medical evacuation support for Somali security forces on the battlefield. From January 1 to the end of August, a total of 739 casualty evacuations were conducted.
Khalid Omar Ali, the Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude to the UN for their logistical support in the ongoing transfer of security responsibilities. “We are growing and hope that the UN will further assist us in becoming self-sufficient,” Ali conveyed.
This month, it is expected that the ATMIS will 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.
