Deadline Set: KDF to Leave Somalia by 2024
The Kenyan personnel stationed in Somalia are scheduled to leave the country formally by December 2024, according to Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Duale stated that the soldiers are being withdrawn because they have ‘accomplished’ their mission.
“We are leaving Somalia because the United Nations, African Union, and Somali government believe they have amassed sufficient forces.” The Somali national army is prepared to defend their nation, according to Duale.
However, he was eager to clarify that all troops serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) are also leaving the country.
“By the end of 2024, there will be no more ATMIS troops in Somalia,” he said.
During a Wednesday evening television interview, the CS stated that Kenya is not in Somalia as the KDF, but as a multinational UN and AU force.
As part of efforts to prevent Al-Shabaab militants from sneaking into the nation, Duale stated that soldiers will be stationed in buffer zones along the border.
“We are returning to our border so that if Al-Shabaab grows stronger, we will still be able to protect our people,” he said.
Approximately fourteen forward operating bases (FOBs) have been closed along the 800-kilometer stretch from Kiunga to Mandera, according to him.
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In October 2011, the government proclaimed “Operation Linda Nchi” and deployed troops to the country to combat militants.
The operation was declared accomplished in March 2012, but the troops remained and joined AMISOM, an African Union initiative.
Since April 2022, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which supplanted AMISOM, has been in operation.
Planned troop withdrawal is a component of the Somali Transition Plan (STP).
Somalia has already prepared 20,000 soldiers to assume control after the withdrawal of all troops.
Ruto stated in a September 2017 interview with France24 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York that the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) will only depart the war-torn country once their mission is complete.
He observed that Kenya is affected by Somalia’s instability.
“As soon as they complete their mission in Somalia, these soldiers will return home,” he said.
He continued, “We have been there with numerous collaborators. With the election of President Hassan Mohamud, whom I have met twice, I see a glimmer of hope.”
Deadline Set: KDF to Leave Somalia by 2024