The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has officially handed over the Maslah operating base to the Somali government, ceding control of the facility it had occupied since 2012. The handover of the base was facilitated by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
The handover is in line with the joint Concept of Operations (CONOPs) and the Somali Transition Plan – developed by the federal government, ATMIS, the UN and development partners to guide the transition process.
A land lease agreement formalizing the handover was signed by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, and Somalia’s State Minister for Defence, Abdinur Daahir Fidow, at a ceremony held in the capital, Mogadishu last Saturday.
“Today is a proud moment for us as a Mission. Maslah is the first facility to be handed over by ATMIS since its inception in 1 April 2022, following the end of the AMISOM mandate,” the SRCC said at the ceremony attended by top Somali officials, envoys and representatives of the UN and troop contributing countries (TCC’s).
Ambassador Souef emphasized the key role the base has played in securing the capital, Mogadishu, and facilitating the mission’s military operations.
“Geographically it has also enabled our troops to secure the major supply route (MSR) connecting Mogadishu and the hinterland hence ensuring the safe and secure movement of goods and services which is important for both economic and social development of this country,” he observed.
Somalia’s State Minister for Defence, Abdinur Fidow said the handover comes at a time when the government has intensified military operations against al-Shabab in central and south Somalia.
“Huge military gains have been achieved in the past few months and we are keen to double the current efforts and count on your support in eradicating the Al-Shabaab,” he added, reiterating the government’s commitment to the transition process.
A certificate of handover of gifted equipment and material was also signed by the Minister of Defence and the Director, United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Mr. Amadu Kamara paving the way for the government to assume ownership of UN-owned equipment in the base.
“UNSOS, in support of the Somalia transition, will gift to FGS, any UNOE associated with ‘camp utilities and life support’ such as generators and water purification plants to sustain the operational capacity of FOBs that are being handed over, if such equipment is not required to support ATMIS formations or operations in other locations. “said Mr. Kamara.
“The success of the handover of Maslah, notwithstanding formidable challenges, is a testament to the will of the Somalia government to succeed, the commitment of ATMIS to support the FGS, and the unwavering support of UNSOS to ensure adequate facilitation of the Transition Plan,” Mr. Kamara.
The UNSOS Director further noted that the ceremony was a demonstration of the commitment of ATMIS to support the government of Somalia, reaffirming UNSOS unwavering support to ensure adequate facilitation of the transition plan.
“We will handover this equipment if it is not required to support ATMIS formations or operations in other locations,” he added.
In the case of Maslah, the UN handed over to SNA one water treatment plant, two generators, a water borehole and refurbished prefabs.
It also constructed a gate at the main entrance of the base to enhance security.