AU Mission Chief Warns: Al-Shabaab’s Threat Remains Unpredictable and Resilient

New York(Mogadishu24)-Ambassador Mohamed El Seouf, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and head of the AU Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), provided a security briefing to the Somali Security Council, emphasizing the persistent and unpredictable threat posed by Al-Shabaab despite recent security gains by Somali forces and their allies.

“We continue to assess that security remains relatively calm in areas under Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) presence. The threat of Al-Shabaab remains unpredictable,” stated Ambassador El Seouf.

Highlighting recent attacks, El Seouf pointed to the complex assault on Somali Security Forces in El-Dheer, Galmudug region, and the mortar attack on the ATMIS camp in Baidoa, Southwest State, as stark reminders of Al-Shabaab’s resilience and capability.

“The group still retains the ability to conduct devastating attacks, including employing asymmetric tactics and organizing complex operations on civilians and security targets,” he added.

Despite these challenges, Ambassador El Seouf praised the Somali National Army (SNA) for its courage and unwavering commitment to the offensive against Al-Shabaab.

“Such resilience and the propaganda of the group do not affect the courage, resilience, and commitment of the SNA to remain steadfast in their offensive against Al-Shabaab,” he affirmed.

He acknowledged the significant gains made by Somali Security Forces, supported by ATMIS and increasingly by local communities, but stressed the necessity for sustained international support to maintain this momentum.

“Sustained support from international partners is essential to maintain this momentum,” he emphasized.

Ambassador El Seouf also highlighted the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to address community conflicts and rivalries, noting that these efforts are crucial for advancing national unity, community reconciliation, and social cohesion.

“It is particularly vital as the Federal Government of Somalia works to respond to community conflicts and rivalries. Sustained efforts in this regard will advance ongoing initiatives to deepen national unity, community reconciliations, and social cohesion,” he concluded.

The briefing underscored the dual necessity of continued vigilance against Al-Shabaab and robust international support to ensure lasting security and stability in Somalia.