Addis ababa: The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council has extended the deployment of Burundian troops in Somalia by six months, thereby delaying the complete military withdrawal that was initially scheduled for June 30th.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a statement from the AU's Peace and Security Council revealed that the decision followed a high-level meeting. This meeting evaluated the delays in the launch of a new stabilization mission intended to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The statement highlighted that these delays are primarily due to logistical and readiness challenges among the countries contributing troops. Of particular note is Egypt, which is anticipated to join the African Union's new stabilization mission in Somalia.
Consequently, Burundian forces will continue their presence in Somalia to aid in counterinsurgency operations against Al-Shabaab and to support the Somali government during this transitional period.
Burundi, a major contributor to peacekeeping efforts for more than a decade, initially planned to withdraw its troops before the extension was announced. This development underscores the complexity involved in the handover and the ongoing security challenges present in the region.