The Security Council has officially passed a resolution extending the authorization for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) for an additional six months until June 30, 2024.
This unanimous decision, known as Resolution 2710, greenlights African Union member states to deploy a maximum of 17,626 uniformed personnel to ATMIS until December 31, 2023. Notably, a phase 2 drawdown of 3,000 personnel by this deadline has been endorsed, following a three-month pause requested by the Somali government.
Starting from January 1, 2024, the resolution allows for 14,626 uniformed personnel until June 30, 2024. Moreover, it supports the completion of a phase 3 drawdown of 4,000 ATMIS personnel by the latter date.
Resolution 2710 includes a request for the federal government of Somalia and the African Union to conduct a joint technical assessment by March 31, 2024. The assessment aims to evaluate the phase 2 drawdown and extract valuable insights to guide planning for the remaining phases of the ATMIS drawdown.
By April 30, 2024, an update on preparations for the phase 3 drawdown is requested. This update should outline a well-defined plan and timeline for the phase 3 drawdown.
In a separate move, the Security Council also unanimously passed Resolution 2711, approving a “technical rollover” of the Somalia sanctions until December 1, 2023. This extension grants additional time for negotiations on a regular extension of the restrictive measures. The resolution further extends the mandate of the panel of experts, assisting the Sanctions Committee, until December 31, 2023
