The African Union Mission in Somalia resumes the withdrawal of its forces after a three-month hiatus

The African Union Mission in Somalia resumes the withdrawal of its forces after a three-month hiatus

 The African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia has resumed handing over security responsibilities to Somali government forces after a three-month hiatus, officials said.

The mission, known as ATMIS, handed over security control of the presidential headquarters - also known as “Villa Somalia” - where Somali President Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud resides and works. In addition, the forces handed over responsibilities for the Parliament building, which is not far from the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

In addition to the Somali forces, the African Union forces have been securing strategic sites in the capital, including the palace, the parliament building, the airport and the seaport, since 2007. The Somali forces are now solely responsible for the main headquarters of the executive and legislative branches of the government.

In an interview with the Somali section of Voice of America Radio, the African Union envoy to Somalia and head of Atmais, Mohamed El Amin Suef, confirmed the resumption of the withdrawal. He said the mission would withdraw 3,000 troops by the 31st. The mission will hand over responsibilities for 10 bases in this phase of withdrawal.