Somalia's government has requested a delay in the withdrawal of African Union (AU) peacekeepers to avoid a potential security vacuum that could benefit al Shabaab militants. Documents obtained by Reuters reveal that the Somali government has asked the AU to slow the drawdown of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops. Originally set to withdraw by December 31, Somalia now seeks to delay the departure of half the 4,000 troops scheduled to leave by June until September.

A joint assessment in March by Somalia and the AU, mandated by the UN Security Council, warned that a hasty drawdown could create a security vacuum. Mursal Khalif, an independent member of Somalia’s defense committee in parliament, expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the risk of instability.

The European Union (EU) and the United States, primary funders of the AU force, advocate for reducing the peacekeeping operation due to financial concerns. Diplomatic sources and a senior Ugandan official indicated that negotiations about a new force have been complex, with differing views on the mandate.

Hussein Sheikh-Ali, Somalia’s National Security Adviser, stated that the delay aligns with planning for the post-ATMIS mission. Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the AU special representative to Somalia and head of ATMIS, emphasized the importance of a conditions-based drawdown.

Neighboring countries like Uganda and Kenya, which have contributed troops, express concerns about Somali forces' readiness. Uganda’s state minister of foreign affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, warned against a situation reminiscent of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, while Kenyan President William Ruto highlighted the risk of al Shabaab taking over.

The EU and U.S. support building Somalia’s security capacities, with ongoing discussions about the new mission's size and mandate. The U.S. has invested over $2.5 billion in counterterrorism assistance since 2007, while the EU has provided around $2.8 billion to ATMIS and its predecessor.

Despite these challenges, Somalia shows progress, with improved security in Mogadishu. However, analysts warn that al Shabaab's estimated 7,000-12,000 fighters remain a significant threat. The international community is committed to supporting Somalia’s security efforts to ensure long-term stability.