Uganda people’s defense forces have started the process of withdrawing its army from Somalia where they have been deployed since 2007. According to UPDF Spokesperson, in charge of the ATMIS in Somalia, Maj Peter Mugisa says Uganda has already withdrawn her first batch of 400 soldiers, who will soon arrive in the country.
The development is part of the agreed process that will see the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia withdraw 2000 troops by the end of this month in compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2628(22) and 2670(22) which require ATMIS to gradually transfer security responsibilities to the Somali security forces.
In March last year, the peacekeeping mission in Somalia named AMISOM was absorbed into the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia(ATMIS).
Consequently, ATMIS was mandated and tasked with the process of stabilising Somalia but also aim at transferring the full responsibilities of national security to the Federal Government of Somalia for the next two years.
Currently, at least four ATMIS Forward Operating Bases previously occupied by the Burundi National Army( three) and UPDF (one) have been handed over to the Somali National Army as part of the transition process that will bring to an end the Africa Union peacekeeping mission which has been in Somalia since 2007, Uganda was the first country that deployed her forces to Somalia to
The Ugandan troops quickly did a recommendable task and controlled the largest area in Somalia after being deployed in Sector One in Benadir, (which has 16 districts) Banadir, and Lower Shabelle regions having pushed Al Shabaab militants for over 200km away from Mogadishu city.
The troops led by UPDF have been able to send away Al-Shabaab militants from key and many urban centers, creating space for Somali elites to build institutions and a political system in a peaceful environment.
Whereas troop-contributing countries and the African Union sought more funds to keep the mission going, donors as Somali authorized felt the mission’s value was not appreciated.
However, counter-insurgency efforts have of late run out of steam but on the other hand, Al Shabaab insurgents have continued to gain ground and carry out attacks.
It also remains to be seen whether the new mission aimed at ensuring capacity for Somali institutions especially the army and police will be successful considering the divisions and weaknesses among these institutions.
Kamukama Rukundo Clinton is a Ugandan freelance journalist, book author, and columnist for 1cananews who can be contacted via WhatsApp at +25670439540 and rukundopeter33@gmail.com
