Somali forces take over areas vacated by AU troops

Somali forces have assumed security responsibilities in five of six sectors where African Union (AU) troops have been deployed.

The defence ministry said it appreciated the “sacrifices” made over the years by the AU mission and the countries which had contributed soldiers – Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

The statement comes after the scheduled withdrawal of 2,000 AU troops – expected to have left by 30 June.

Another 3,000 AU soldiers are expected to leave by the end of September – with the entire force due to be out of Somalia by the close of 2024.   BY THE STAR