African Union endorses Somalia’s peacekeepers drawdown pause request

The African Union has officially endorsed Somalia’s request to the UN Security Council for a three-month tactical pause in the drawdown of international troops engaged in the fight against the al-Shabaab group in the central regions of Somalia. This decision comes in response to reported military setbacks, as confirmed by the officials.

In a formal statement released by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia expressed its strong support for the request to halt the drawdown of 3,000 of its uniformed personnel.

The Council, serving as the primary decision-making body of the African Union for conflict prevention, management, and resolution, also applauded the commitment made by troop-contributing nations including Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, and Uganda. These nations pledged to collaborate with Somalia and its partners to secure the necessary financial support crucial for the successful transition mission.

The African Union’s second-phase troop drawdown initiative aims to withdraw 3,000 peacekeepers from Somalia. To date, the mission has already relocated over 2,000 peacekeepers from the Horn of Africa nation.

Mogadishu’s appeal to the UN Security Council underscores the urgent need to address significant challenges and profound implications for Somalia’s security transition.