Somali ministry of Defence says its forces have assumed security responsibilities in five of six sectors formerly under the control of the African Union (AU) troops.
The army said it appreciated the “sacrifices” made over the years by the AU mission and the countries which had contributed soldiers – Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
The statement is coming following the withdrawal of 2,000 AU troops expected to have departed by 30 June.
The Lower Shabelle region operated by the Burundian contingent of the mission are now under the full control of the Somalian army.
Although the entire force is due to be out of Somalia by the close of 2024, another batch of 3,000 AU soldiers is expected to leave by the end of September 2023.
Last week, Lt Col Steven Kashagama expressed confidence in the Somali National Army to secure the population and defend the area against Al-Shabaab terrorists.
“We are handing over the security responsibility for Albao and the neighbouring areas to the Somali security forces. For the time I have been with them, they have shown charisma, energy and resilience. I have no doubt they are ready to secure the population,” he said.
ATMIS Military Chief of Operations Officer, Col. Milton Katarinyeba, who was in Cadale, appealed to the Somali security forces to protect the community from Al-Shabaab attacks.
The AU has been assisting the fragile Somali government fight the al-Shabab terrorist group since 2007.
