MOGADISHU(SD)-The Somali government has requested an extension of the withdrawal of African Union peacekeeping forces, citing the country’s fragile security situation, as reported by documents seen by Reuters news agency.
However, in a letter sent by the Somali government to the Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, Somalia requested to delay until September the withdrawal of half the 4,000 troops due to leave by the end of June.
The Somali government has pledged to change the timing of the withdrawal overall, emphasizing the importance of coordination and strengthening the capabilities of the Somali forces.
Meanwhile, the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is set to withdraw from Somalia by December 31st, with plans to replace them with new, smaller troops.
The European Union and the United States, the largest financiers of the African Union forces in Somalia, are considering halting the peacekeeping mission due to concerns about the prolonged funding and sustainability of the mission, diplomatic sources and a top Ugandan official said.
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