PSC: Morocco affirms support for African Union Transition Mission in Somalia

Morocco affirmed, Tuesday in Addis Ababa, before the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union its support for the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), while reiterating the primacy of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining international peace and security.

This came during the PSC meeting devoted to the financing of ATMIS in accordance with the decision of the 1068th meeting of the PSC and UN Security Council Resolution 2628, which mandates ATMIS to address the threat posed by Al Shabab terror group.

Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the UNECA, Mohamed Arrouchi, who was speaking at the PSC meeting, expressed the Kingdom’s support for this Mission to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in implementing the Somali Transition Plan and to gradually transfer security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali National Security Forces by December 2024, with a view to enabling Somalia to assume full responsibility for its own security.

The diplomat leading the Moroccan delegation to this meeting, commended AMISOM for its contribution to reducing the threat caused by Al-Shabaab terrorists over the past 15 years, and supports the reconfigured ATMIS mission to implement the vision stipulated in the Somali transition plan.

Reiterating the UN Security Council’s primary responsibility for preserving international peace and security, the Moroccan delegation stressed that sustainable and predictable funding for ATMIS and adequate financial and logistical support are essential to improve Somalia’s ability to meet growing security challenges and combat terrorist threats.

The Moroccan diplomat stressed the need for international cooperation and support through contributions from partners and other donors, as well as in-kind contributions that can be provided by member states and mandatory contributions from the UN, in order to ensure predictable and sustainable funding for ATMIS.

He also noted the importance of providing international and bilateral funding to Somalia for training, equipping, and capacity building of Somali security forces, as the success of ATMIS is attributable to the success of Somali security forces and institutions, which is likely to allow for a gradual and effective transfer of responsibilities from ATMIS to Somali security forces and institutions.