A leaner multinational force will replace the current African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia by the end of the year, National Security Adviser Hussein Sheikh-Ali told The National.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) is expected to wind up its operations on December 31, ending the presence of the AU force in Somalia 17 years after it was deployed to help drive the Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabab militant group out of the capital, Mogadishu, and to support the internationally recognised federal government.
The AU force is operating under a UN mandate to counter a resurgence of Al Shabab and to train Somali security forces.
The deployment of a multinational force in its stead is likely to face a backlash from some Somalis, who were hoping to see the country's own armed forces take over. However, while the multinational force will be smaller than Atmis, it will be considerably better equipped than the Somali army, and therefore a stronger option for combating Al Shabab than local security forces.
The new force will secure key government and diplomatic installations in the country, according to Mr Sheikh-Ali, who has been leading Somalia's negotiations on the transition from Atmis.
Talks on the issue were also held before the African Union's heads of state summit, which was held at its headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa over the weekend and was attended by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
"Discussions are already ongoing at AU headquarters, UN headquarters and Mogadishu on this new multinational force between the Federal Government of Somalia, AU, UN and donor partners,” Mr Sheikh-Ali told The National by telephone.
The talks focused on the mandate and strength of the new force, he said.
“The mandate of the new forces will be to protect key government infrastructure within Somalia and the logistics hubs of the Somalia Security Forces as well as areas where foreign diplomatic missions, UN agencies and international humanitarian organisations are located,” the security adviser said.
“We estimate the new multinational forces to be around 3,000 to 8,000 and they will closely work with an equal number of Somali forces who will co-locate with them to eventually take over Somalia's security responsibilities from them after 12 months," he said, referring to plans for Somali forces to embed with the multinational coalition.
The role of the mission will be reassessed after 12 months, with an option for an extension depending on the security situation in the country, he explained.
The strength of the current AU mission has dropped over the years from 22,000 at its outset to 14,262 currently, with another 4,000 personnel expected to leave in June. They operate in Mogadishu and across much of southern Somalia.
Its members come from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
Mr Sheikh-Ali did not say whether the new multinational force would draw from members of the Atmis forces already in Somalia.
Al Shabab threat
Although the AU peacekeepers have been credited with preventing Somali forces from being overrun by Al Shabab, the militants continue to cause heavy civilian and military casualties with hit-and-run guerrilla attacks.
Somali government forces are currently engaged in active combat against Al Shabab in south and central Somalia.
Al Shabab's preferred methods of attack are suicide bombings and car bombings that have often claimed many civilian lives, particularly in Mogadishu.
Last week the group fired several mortar rounds at the Ministry of Defence, with some landing within the compound. Police said one of the mortar rounds hit a house, killing one person and injuring 11 others from the same family.
Al Shabab also regularly attacks Somali military and Atmis bases.
Last month, the militants seized an outpost from government forces in the village of Caad in Mudug region of central Somalia, with many casualties reported on both sides.
President Mohamud declared all-out war on Al Shabab after his re-election in May 2022, describing them as Somalia's public enemy number one. He launched a three-pronged offensive to counter the group militarily, financially and ideologically.
Since then, government forces have taken the war to Al Shabab. However, security analysts say the militants are now avoiding direct clashes with state forces and instead resorting to hit-and-run attacks, which allow them to strike at a time and location of their choosing.
It is civilians, either killed or maimed, who have been the main victims of Al Shabab's raids, bombings and mortar fire over nearly two decades.
“We are worried. Whether the Atmis peacekeepers leave or a new foreign force replaces them, the question many Somalis ask is, can Al Shabab really be defeated? That is the million-dollar question that needs actions more than answers,” Abdi Ali, a shopkeeper in Mogadishu, told The National.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
Specs
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Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Infiniti QX80 specs
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Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
