MOGADISHU — Somalia’s military leadership and the African Union mission have agreed to expedite the implementation of the Security Transition Plan and significantly intensify joint military operations against militant groups across the country.
The strategic agreement was reached on Thursday during high-level discussions between the newly appointed Somali National Army (SNA) Commander, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, and the leadership of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The AU delegation was led by the Head of AUSSOM, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, alongside Force Commander General Sam Kavuma.
Expediting the Security Transition Plan
According to defense officials, both sides agreed on the critical need to coordinate troop redeployments in tandem with the Somali National Army’s increasing operational capacity. The primary objective is to ensure that the gradual reduction and restructuring of African Union forces occurs seamlessly, without creating any security vacuums or vulnerabilities that insurgents could exploit.
Intensifying Joint Offensives
Beyond the transition timeline, the meeting resulted in concrete plans to enhance the frequency of coordinated, intelligence-led offensives against terrorist networks. Commanders also focused heavily on improving battlefield logistics and supply chain support in recently liberated areas to help the Federal Government solidify its territorial gains.
Security analysts view the outcome of Thursday’s talks as a significant marker of progress toward allowing Somalia to assume complete, sovereign responsibility for its national security, while still maintaining close operational collaboration with its continental partners throughout the delicate transition period.
