Kismayo(Mogadishu24)-The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officially handed over the Kuday Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) on Wednesday, marking another step in Somalia’s transition to full security responsibility.

The Kuday FOB, located in Lower Juba, has been under the control of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) within ATMIS since 2015, playing a key role in securing the strategic port city of Kismayo.

The base, which was originally liberated from al-Shabaab by joint forces of ATMIS and SSF in 2015, has served as a critical buffer zone against militant activities in southern Somalia.

The handover ceremony was presided over by ATMIS Sector Two Commander Brig. Rashid Seif, and attended by senior officials from ATMIS, the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).

“This handover demonstrates the Federal Government of Somalia’s capacity and willingness to continue to take over security responsibilities, supported by ATMIS,” said Col. Suleiman Ibrahim, representing ATMIS Force Headquarters. He praised the KDF troops for their contributions to peace and stability in Lower Juba and encouraged the incoming SNAF contingent to maintain their vigilance.

The event underscored continued cooperation between regional forces, with Maj. Sakariye Mohamed Omar, a SNAF representative, emphasizing the need for collaboration against the shared threat of al-Shabaab. “Al-Shabaab is an enemy to Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and every country in Africa and the entire world. We must work together to degrade the threats these enemies pose,” said Maj. Omar.

The handover process included the signing of official documents by Maj. Hud Tohwari, the incoming Kuday FOB Commander, alongside representatives from ATMIS and UNSOS. As part of the transition, UNSOS provided the SSF with essential equipment, including generators, solar panels, and water boreholes to support their ongoing operations.

In addition to its military role, the KDF had engaged in various civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) projects, including the construction of school classrooms, a madrassa, a fish waiting bay, and the purchase of a dhow to support the local community, reflecting their commitment to fostering stability.

The transfer of Kuday FOB is part of ATMIS’s phase three drawdown, which includes the handover of six other bases and the reduction of troop numbers by 2,000. This move aligns with the UN and African Union’s plan to gradually transition security responsibilities to Somali forces, paving the way for a fully Somali-led security framework.