Kenya to withdraw all its troops from Somalia by December 2024 - CS Aden Duale

This he stated during his appearance before the plenary on Wednesday, when he stated that the war against the terrorist group has made significant progress and that the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops will transfer security responsibilities to Somali security forces.

According to CS Duale, there is an ongoing ATMIS drawdown strategy under the 'Somali transition plan,' which began in April 2022 and will end in December 2024 in accordance with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

"Already phase one has been completed where a total of 2,000 ATMIS forces have exited and 400 are from Kenya, 400 from Uganda, 400 from Ethiopia, 600 from Burundi and around 200 from Djibouti," he said adding that the exit was completed in June 2023.

To not allow the encroachment of the terror group in conquered land, Duale said that the ATMIS troops were withdrawn from a troop base (FOB) close to the Wajir-Somalia border, about 7 kilometers from the Kenyan military base.

Phase two is set to commence on September 30, 2023 where Kenya expects to withdraw an additional 600 KDF officers.

However, Duale said that the move is pending approval from the UNSC since Somalia has asked for a three-month extension to allow them time to further reinforce their security forces.

"This has been paused awaiting the AU and UN decision on a request made by the Somali government for a three-month extension because the Somali security forces have been engaging in a serious war with al-Shabaab in the central part of Somalia," he said.

"The extension will only succeed if the AU and UNSC approve the plea."

Kenya was prompted to charge into Somalia in 2012 after the tourism sector was threatened by Alshabaab activities which also saw a sprouting recruitment of  Kenyans to the group.

Through the introduction of ATMIS, the East African region has contributed its troops to aid in the war on terror in Somalia as Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi and Djibouti have joined Kenya.

Duale expressed confidence that the days of the terror group are numbered as will be soon nipped in the bud.

"With ATMIS, AMISOM and international partners I think the days of al-Shabaab in Somalia are coming to an end," Duale said.

"Today we are seeing that the Somali government has established and generated enough force and today you have seen the presence of Somalia at the forefront of combating terror."