Djibouti Government welcomed back the initial contingent of its forces who were part of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as part of the drawdown process continues.

The returning forces were welcomed by Minister of Defense Hassan Omar Mohamed and military Chief General Zakaria Sheikh Ibrahim during a ceremonial event held in their honor. The esteemed officials lauded the troops for their exceptional bravery, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to restoring peace and stability in Somalia.

Ibrahim expressed sincere gratitude to the returning forces, recognizing their significant contributions throughout their deployment in Somalia.

General Zakaria Sheikh Ibrahim, the military Chief, commended the troops for their exemplary service and the pivotal role they played in creating a safer environment in Somalia. He emphasized Djibouti’s integral involvement in international peacekeeping endeavors, underscoring the nation’s unwavering commitment to regional security and stability.

Previously, forces from Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi have also begun returning to their respective countries after transferring certain Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the Middle Shabelle and Lower Juba regions.

However, Somalia’s readiness to achieve self-sufficiency in counter-terrorism efforts has been called into question following recent Al-Shabaab attacks on bases handed over to the Somali National Army. Yesterday, Al-Shabaab launched an assault on the Daru-Nima base, previously reclaimed by Somali forces, ultimately recapturing it.