The collaboration between the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Somali leadership for stabilising Somalia has been commended by Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
After a three-day visit to Mogadishu, the UN ASG expressed admiration for the considerable progress in the country compared to her previous visit. She assured ATMIS and Somali leaders of continued UN support and emphasized the timeliness and insightfulness of her visit.
Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, also praised the role of the AU and international partners in Somalia’s progress, acknowledging ATMIS, the EU, and the UN for aiding Somalia’s recovery and stability.
Ambassador Souef, the AU Special Representative and Head of ATMIS, briefed ASG Pobee on Somalia’s humanitarian situation, ATMIS troops’ drawdown, and the overall transition, including addressing flood issues caused by El Nino rains.
During her visit, the ASG engaged in discussions with Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Special Representative and Head of ATMIS, as well as Ambassadors from ATMIS Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs).
The dinner held at ATMIS Mission Headquarters was attended by high-level officials, including Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar; the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing; the ASG and Head of UNSOS, Aisa Kacyira Kirabo; the UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho; ATMIS Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, the Deputy Force Commanders, and the diplomatic corps.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).