By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared the successful initiation of transferring military bases from the African Transition Mission (ATMIS) forces to the Somali Security Forces.
Speaking during the Independence Day celebrations at Mogadishu Stadium, the President emphasized the key pillars of a complete government and outlined the path to self-sufficiency.
"To be a complete government, we need three pillars. First and foremost, we must ensure peace and security by freeing ourselves from the grip of Al-Shabaab. We strive for total freedom and lasting peace. Second, we aim to optimize our resources and operationalize our institutions, paving the way for debt relief and positioning ourselves as a progressing country capable of self-sufficiency. Finally, the completion of our constitution is the third pillar. All of these objectives can be realized by first achieving peace," the President stated.President Hassan Sheikh expressed heartfelt gratitude for the African Transition Mission forces, recognizing their integral role in Somalia's progress over the past 15 years. He paid tribute to the fallen soldiers who had sacrificed their lives while on peace missions within the country.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to our brothers who have stood with us for the past 15 years, providing guidance and enabling us to strive for self-reliance. We honor the sons who lost their lives in this country while serving on peace missions. As we move forward, we anticipate the redeployment of the final ATMIS soldier by December 31, 2024, and we wish them the very best," the President expressed.Regarding the ongoing developments, President Mohamud assured the Somali people that the Somali National Army had already assumed control of the bases that were withdrawn from ATMIS during the initial phase."I am pleased to announce to the Somali people that the Somali National Army has successfully assumed control of the bases that were withdrawn from ATMIS during the first phase. Furthermore, we are diligently working towards taking control of other bases in the month of September," the President.
Last week, the United Nations extended the mandate of ATMIS in Somalia for six months. This extension is intended to allow for a well-coordinated withdrawal of troops in the second phase and provide Somalia with the necessary space and time to formulate a comprehensive plan for self-reliance in countering the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
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