The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia Force Commander has said degrading Al Shabaab and improving the capability of the Somali Security Forces (SSF) are top priorities for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in 2024. 

These New Year challenges were laid out by ATMIS Force Commander Lt Gen. Sam Okiding and ATMIS Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu in their respective end-of-year messages. 

“Our primary task next year will be the degradation of Al Shabaab. Al Shabaab must be defeated so that the people of Somalia can live in peace and harmony,” Okiding said in a statement on Sunday, December 31, 2023. 

To help achieve these aims, a conference bringing together all ATMIS sector commanders will be held in Mogadishu to refine the current Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to effectively counter Al Shabaab’s asymmetrical warfare.  

Okiding assumed the office as the Force Commander for ATMIS on May 17, 2023. Prior to his appointment, he was the Deputy Commander Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) till November 2022. 

Reviewing the achievements of 2023, Okiding pointed to the completion of 236 military operations, with 41 percent conducted jointly with the Somali Security Forces (SSF). 

The operations he noted were instrumental in securing population centres, safeguarding main supply routes, liberating key towns and villages such as Farqalaal, Gadaan and Cali Fooldheere Forest and facilitating the distribution of humanitarian aid to distressed communities. 

“It is important to note that ATMIS also collaborated with Somali Security Forces (SSF) in driving out Al Shabab in areas like Jubaland, Galmudug, Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle,” Okiding noted. 

Okiding said that ATMIS will intensify its mentorship programme for the Somali National Army (SNA) personnel and regularly advise the government on capability development to ensure the resilience of the forces left behind. 

Okiding singled out the successful conclusion of the first phase of ATMIS troop drawdown in June and the consolidation of gains made under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the precursor to ATMIS, as one of the major achievements. 

“Throughout the year our focus has been the transfer of security responsibilities to the Federal Government of Somalia and we successfully concluded phase one of ATMIS troop drawdown,” Okiding observed. 

Other activities conducted by the military component included the provision of clean water to local communities, medical care and outpatient services, food donations and infrastructural development. 

“Our officers should remain vigilant in the New Year and avoid unnecessary mistakes that give Al Shabaab an advantage,” Okiding said. He urged Somalis to foster and embrace unity in the New Year and asked the residents to selflessly guard national unity even after ATMIS’s departure. 

Kanu highlighted that the police component would focus on imparting specialist skills to the SSF and enhancing community-based initiatives. 

“In the new year, we are going to streamline our training on community policing, investigative skills, combating financial crimes, money laundering, trafficking and public order management,” Kanu said. 

She noted that community policing had proven to be successful in fostering cooperation between security forces and residents, strengthening the fight against Al Shabaab. 

“Community policy has strengthened cooperation between security forces and the residents. This is important because we need total cooperation of community members in the fight against Al Shabaab,” Kanu added. 

Kanu highlighted the significant achievements of the ATMIS Police component in terms of training and providing operational support to the Somali Police Force (SPF). 

The ATMIS Police component conducted numerous joint patrols together with the SPF. They deployed their officers to secure different government installations, namely the finance and justice ministries, and at the General Kahiye Police Academy. 

Okiding and Kanu praised the dedication of troops and police officers serving with the Mission, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid complacency. 

“My message to the people of Somalia is about unity and ensuring that they work together to gain peace that we have all been fighting for,” Kanu explained.