DHUSAMAREB, Somalia – The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, received the UN Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Operational Support, Mr. Atul Khare who paid a working visit to the Horn of Africa country.
The talks held in the central city of Dhusamareb focused on key issues related to military operations against al-Shabaab, the reduction of ATMIS forces, and UNSOS support for Somalia.
“HE President Hassan Sheikh received the UN Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Atul Khare, who is on a working visit to Somalia. They discussed matters pertaining to the ongoing military offensive against the terrorists, ATMIS troop drawdown, and UNSOS’ post-ATMIS support to Somalia,” said Villa Somalia statement.
Villa Somalia said Mohamud and Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Operational Support, Mr. Atul Khare also talked about the Somali transition plan, in which AU forces hand over security responsibility to SNA by December 2024.
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides logistical support to the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Somali Security Forces (SSF).
The UN team visit comes amid preparation for the second phase of the ATMIS troop drawdown by the end of this month. As many as 3,000 soldiers are set to leave Somalia.
ATMIS, in partnership with the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), last week concluded the successful drawdown of 2,000 troops, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 (2022).
Six Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) were handed over to Somali Security Forces (SSF) which include: Xaaji Cali, Miirtuquo, Cadale, Albao, Gherille, Aljazeera 1, while one FOB – Marka Ayub was closed.
