By Akiki Abbo, reporter
Kampala (Somalistandard) – According to a new report by the VOA Somali, at least 3,500 African Union (AU) peacekeepers have been killed and hundreds more injured in Somalia since the forces began their mission in early 2007. The peacekeepers were deployed to help protect the government and installations from al-Qaida affiliated al-Shabab militants, but have faced significant challenges.
Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, revealed the casualty figures during an interview with VOA Somali’s “Investigative Dossier” radio program.
Souef noted that many cases were not properly documented, and that the troops were not well prepared when they were first deployed to Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, due to the lack of administration there at the time.
Originally known as the African Union Mission in Somalia, the operation’s first deployment in Mogadishu took place in March 2007 with troops from Uganda.
In April 2022, the mission changed its name to the African Union Transition Mission, or ATMIS, with the goal of withdrawing from Somalia by December 2024, as Somali forces were expected to assume security responsibilities in the country. Currently,
ATMIS has approximately 19,000 peacekeepers operating in Somalia.
The high number of casualties among AU peacekeepers underscores the significant risks and challenges they face in Somalia, where al-Shabab militants continue to carry out attacks targeting government installations and civilians. Despite the efforts of the AU peacekeepers, the security situation in Somalia remains volatile, and the loss of lives among the peacekeepers is a stark reminder of the ongoing security threats in the country.
The disclosure of the casualty figures by Souef highlights the need for improved preparedness, documentation, and support for peacekeeping missions in conflict zones. It also raises questions about the timeline and effectiveness of the planned withdrawal of AU peacekeepers from Somalia by December 2024, and the readiness of Somali forces to assume full security responsibilities in the country.
According to experts, as the situation continues to evolve, it will be crucial for all stakeholders to work towards finding sustainable solutions to address the security challenges in Somalia and prevent further loss of life among AU peacekeepers and civilians alike.
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