BY RUTH TENE NATSA, MOGADISHI-SOMALIA – The Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia ((ATMIS), Lt. General Sam Okiding PSC(U) ensp (RSA), has said that West Africa is not safe from the threat of terrorism.
General Okiding, who gave the alert while briefing journalists from Nigeria and Ghana on a week-long visit to the ATMIS Headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia, said this was as a result of Al-shabaab continuous expansion of its territories.
He said that the threats are real adding that the indicators are already showing just as he also said that the connection in the Sahel region with Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda is real.
In the words of Okiding; “They were in Syria, then Mozambique, now they are in the Sahel region, they are here in Mogadishu. So, there is nobody who is safe. Mozambique is in Southern Africa, nobody is safe in this era of terrorism.
“Those who are in Congo, came from Yemen and Iraq, but they are trying to flush them out. All those that were captured were in Sudan, how about West Africa here? West Africa is not safe, it is not a safe haven,” he said.
Speaking in his personal capacity on the current trend of coups, Okiding said; “Not all coups are bad, but in general terms, coups are destructive if it is conducted without a strategy and depending on the calibre of people.
“I am again calling on Africans to wake up. Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Mali, those differences are clear. With what they have told us, I do not encourage them because coups are always destructive but, so far, these ones are bloodless. I think they are on the right track.
“That is me as a person. I am not speaking on the position of ATMIS but, as a person, let’s give them a chance and see what comes out of what they will say and let’s wait for what they are telling us. If that is what they are going to implement, I don’t see any problem. That is my personal view”.
Meanwhile, speaking on his role as the ATMIS Force Commander, General Sam Okiding said the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), is a multi-dimension mission comprising military, police and civilian components authorized by the African Union Peace and Security Council through its 1068th communique and mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2628 of 2022.
“Ghana and Nigeria form part of our Police and Military Contributing Countries. The two countries have both Individual Police Officers and Formed Police Units and Military personnel.
“Allow me therefore to extend my profound appreciation and that of the African Union to the government and people of these two great African states for their contribution to peace and security through the contribution of their sons and daughters to Somalia”.
He explained that the “ATMIS took over from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on 1st April 2022, adding that since its initial deployment in 2007, AMISOM now ATMIS has registered tremendous achievements in support of peace and security in Somalia.
He further said; “Notably, the African Union has managed to ensure that the people of Somalia enjoy the longest period of relative peace and security since the fall of a central government in 1991. We have liberated most of South-Central Somalia which was then in the hands of the anti-peace elements including key population centres and main supply routes”.
General Okiding noted that due to the intervention of the African Union in Somalia, the country is now witnessing a return of its sons and daughters from the diaspora who had fled the conflict.
“Business is now booming in various areas such as construction, banking, aviation, and several others. Having made such achievements and in line with the Somali Transition Plan, ATMIS is now planning to exit Somalia by 31st December 2024.
“This is a gradual and phased process of handing over security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces.
“Phase one was for the drawdown of 2000 ATMIS forces by the end of June 2023, which was successfully concluded. Phase two will have ATMIS drawdown 3000 troops by the end of September 2023 as per the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2628, 2670 (2022) as well as 2687 (2023).
“The essence of the drawdown is to gradually handover security responsibilities from ATMIS to Somalia. Somalia, under the strong and dynamic leadership of the President, H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has taken bold steps and action on force generation and FGS-led offensive against Al-Shabab,” he said.
The ATMIS, General Okiding said, is mandated by the United Nations Security Council, adding that the current Mandate is for the drawdown of 3,000 soldiers by the end of September 2023.
He said that subsequent mandates will dictate the numbers for the drawdown.
