AMISOM to cut 1,000 troops from Somalia by February despite recent attacks

MOGADISHU. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) military commanders have resolved to cut another 1,000 troops from the regional peacekeeping force despite increased attacks from al-Shabab militants.

According to AMISOM, the drawdown of an additional 1,000 uniformed personnel will take place by Feb. 28. "The meeting agreed to implement the drawdown as per the timelines and to further study the implications to ensure mitigation of potential risks of reversing the security gains so far achieved," said the AU mission in a statement issued on Wednesday evening after AMISOM operations coordination committee (MOCC) meeting. Participants who attended the 29th Meeting of the AMISOM MOCC expressed regrets on the additional drawdown and emphasized the need to take note of the conditions on the ground as well as the pace of development of Somali security forces to take over security responsibility from AMISOM.

Under a transition plan agreed in 2017, AMISOM is also required to conduct gradual handover to Somali security forces, secure main supply routes, reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabab and conduct targeted offensive operations that support the transition plan, among other deliverables.