The United Kingdom has announced an additional £7.5 million in funding to support the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), bringing its total contribution to £77 million since 2021. This funding will cover stipends for troops from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, who form the core of ATMIS’s mission.
British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment to Somalia’s security and development. “Our support for ATMIS is an investment in Somalia’s stability today and its future prosperity,” he said. Nithavrianakis also urged other international partners to increase their contributions to Somalia’s security efforts.
Somalia’s Defence Minister, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, welcomed the UK’s continued support, emphasizing that the funding is crucial in bolstering both ATMIS and Somali security forces. He expressed deep appreciation for the UK’s partnership in helping Somalia work towards peace.
However, despite these ongoing international efforts and funding, Somalia has yet to achieve lasting stability. Persistent insecurity, particularly from the militant group al-Shabaab, remains a significant challenge. Decades of external interventions have struggled to deliver sustainable peace and security across the country.
ATMIS is scheduled to conclude by December 2024 as part of a phased transition, handing over responsibilities to the Somali National Army (SNA) and local forces. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will take over in January 2025 with a smaller force of around 11,000 troops, focusing on urban security and infrastructure protection. This mission aims to help Somalia build its own security capacity, but concerns remain that without substantial progress, the country could still face instability and a resurgence of militant groups.