ATMIS, US Army Commanders Discuss Somalia Security During The Transition

MOGADISHU Somalia June 17 -Senior commanders with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) held talks with top U.S. military officials on Friday on the security situation in Somalia.

The ATMIS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding said the closed-door discussions focused on support to the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure security and stability as ATMIS forces gradually wind down and hand over security responsibilities.

The meeting was also an opportunity to reaffirm the US’ commitment to the partnership with ATMIS and support for Somalia in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

ATMIS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics Maj. Gen. Peter Kimani Muteti and other senior ATMIS military officers met with

The commander of the US Army Special Operations Command Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga and the US Navy Commander of Special Operations Command Africa Rear Admiral Jamie Sands met the senior officials in Mogadishu.

“The U.S. is one of our international partners. They have also injected a lot of resources into this mission and we have discussed salient issues,” said Lt. Gen. Okiding after the meeting.

“We are in the transition process, so as ATM exits, we should be proud of our brothers and sisters who remain behind to take charge of their country’s security. That is our hope and prayer,” he added.

Rear Admiral Jamie Sands said the meeting discussed common challenges, and common purpose, and that they looked at different assets they can use.

“We also discussed the way ahead for Somalia support, the success of the support from ATMIS to Somalia over the last decade and reaffirmed our commitment to one another,” he said.