Atmis is expected to be fully out of Somalia by end of 2024

The continued withdrawal of troops under the African Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) could spread the burden of countering violent extremism to the region, making it an eastern African problem. And that may signal both success and new challenges for a region that had tried to put out the Al Shabaab problem at the source. As per the scheduled drawdown, Atmis is expected to be fully out of Somalia by end of 2024, leaving the obligation to guard installations and the people to Somali security forces. On August 30, Atmis force commander Lt-Gen Sam Okiding was assessing the impact of the programme ahead of the exit of the second batch of soldiers due end of this month. His conclusion is that none of the troop-contributing countries can afford to sit on their hands yet....

Kenya agreed with Somalia to reopen Bula Hawa, Liboi and Ras Kamboni

Sunatimes.com - Kenya agreed with Somalia to reopen Bula Hawa, Liboi and Ras Kamboni border points in phases to allow free movement of people and goods The three border points located in Mandera, Garissa and Lamu counties respectively, were closed in 2011 when Kenya launched Operation Linda Nchi Although there has been a spike in al-Shabaab attacks since the announcement was made, President William Ruto said the decision was the best for the country...

Somalia 2022 Corruption Report

During the five years of the previous Somali administration (2017-2022), the international community was vital in funding the government, covering close to a half of the national budget. This presented it with the obligation to demand accountability of the Somali government, but there is little indication of it having positive influence. Monies were stolen as usual; elections rigged as usual; political opponents harassed and attacked as usual; and democratisation unimproved as usual....

President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia

Sunatimes.com - To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government. But Al-Shabab that splintered from the Islamic movements lost public support after it morphed into terrorist group affiliated with Al-Qaida and started committing unspeakable atrocities against Somalis. Besides killing and maiming thousands of innocent Somalis, destroying private properties, Al-Shabab impeded economic development and delivery of humanitarian assistance forcing millions of Somalis into internally displaced camps and migration (Tahrib) for survival. The South-Central of Somalia became safe haven for Al-Shabab....

Somalia President "We must finish off Al-Shabaab"

Somalia is at war with a cruel, global and morally bankrupt terrorist group which we cannot allow to live and operate in our country. If we do not root this evil and mindlessly violent group out of our society, they will destroy our future and that of the generations to come. Enough is enough! This nightmare must finally end. Al-Shabaab has made it their standard operating procedure to kill, maim, extort, and rob the Somali people of their hard-earned sources of livelihood and property. They remain the most existential threat to the gradually recovering Somali state. At this painfully difficult time of humanitarian and economic challenges, they continue to blow up water wells, forcefully take away people's livestock and extort payment from struggling businesses that support families, individuals, and their communities. This group is a cancer in our system, and we must respond with our collective might to challenge and defeat them once and for all. If we do not do this, Somalia's future and the welfare of the coming generations will be bleak. I am proud of the courage of our resilient communities across Somalia which have joined forces with their government security services to make a firm stand against Al-Shabab and their abuse and subjugation of our people and nation. Our unified message is clear: we will no longer be bullied, humiliated, killed, or extorted. We will defend ourselves, our communities, and our country against international terrorists. Terrorism will have no friend or anywhere to call home in Somalia. Since the fight against global terrorism began in Somalia in 2007, there has never been a time when I felt more hopeful about defeating Al-Shabaab than I am now. That is because, today, we are united, energized and determined to secure a better future for our nation. Somalia's bright light of hope will not be darkened by terrorists any longer. We will progress and prosper together while the terrorists will, and must, be defeated and consigned to the dustbin of history....