Somalia urges the slowdown in the withdrawal of African peacekeepers to avoid a “security vacuum”

According to documents seen by Reuters, the Somali government is requesting a delay in the withdrawal of African peacekeepers to prevent a security vacuum. Neighboring countries fear that the al-Shabab armed group could regain power if the withdrawal happens too quickly. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is scheduled to withdraw by December 31 and be replaced by a smaller force. However, in a recent letter to the African Union Peace and Security Council, Somalia asked to postpone until September the withdrawal of half of the 4,000 troops slated to leave by the end of June. This request follows a March joint assessment with the African Union, which advised adjusting the withdrawal timeline based on the readiness of Somali forces. The evaluation, mandated by the UN Security Council, warned that a rapid drawdown could lead to a security vacuum. Mursal Khalif, an independent member of Somalia’s Federal Parliament defense committee, expressed deep concern over the country’s direction.