Top military commanders from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have concluded a four-day conference to map out strategies for the final offensive operations against Al Shabaab and plan for the next phase of the drawdown of an additional 4000 troops in June, ahead of ATMIS’ exit from Somalia.

The discussions at the Sector Commanders conference focused on the political situation in Somalia, security threats assessment, conduct and impact of Phase 1 and Phase 2 drawdowns, reconfiguration capabilities for offensive operations, environmental protection, and management, and the post-ATMIS security posture.

“This meeting is taking place at a very critical time. We will take into consideration the recommendations you make in the outcomes of the conference. You have done a very good job during Phase One and Two and I am sure that Phase Three will also be concluded successfully,” said the African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, in his opening remarks at the meeting held at the ATMIS Force Headquarters in Mogadishu.