Somalia ‘willing’ to extend stay of African Union peacekeepers
Ugandan soldiers serving under Atmis disembarking from an aircraft upon arrival at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia on March 1, 2023. Mogadishu says it is willing to prolong the stay of the regional force, signalling the challenge of beating down Al-Shabaab. PHOTO | COURTESY | ATMIS
Less than 20 months before the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia formally exits the stage, officials in Mogadishu say they are willing to prolong the stay of the regional force, signalling the challenge of beating down Al-Shabaab.
The EastAfrican has learnt that Mogadishu has launched a shuttle diplomacy to lobby the international community and influential leaders in the region to agree to the extension, a move likely to bring in consequences ranging from sustainability and mandate of the Mission.
