EU approves further support to Somali National Army, AU Transition Mission in Somalia

Brussels, Belgium (PANA) - The Political and Security Committee of the European Union has approved additional support for the Somali National Army (SNA) and for the military component of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Both actions aim at contributing to the handover of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the SNA, by allowing the former to fulfil its mandate while strengthening the capacities of the latter.

According to a statement issued by the European Council, the EU will add €70 million to the resources already mobilised for ATMIS in previous years, and €40 million for the SNA.

For ATMIS, the agreed support will mostly contribute to the troop allowances of the African soldiers deployed in Somalia. Over the period 1 July 2021 – 31 December 2023, previous support under the European Peace Facility (EPF) amounted to €270 million.

For the SNA, it will focus on the provision of non-lethal equipment. Previous support to the SNA under the EPF amounts to €50 million.

The EU is the largest direct contributor to ATMIS with nearly €2.7 billion since 2007.

In line with the EU’s Integrated Approach to external conflicts and crises, EPF funding for ATMIS is one element of a broader, coordinated and coherent engagement of the EU to support security and peace in Somalia, and in the Horn of Africa at large.

It is notably paired with capacity-building support to the SNA, with the aim of allowing a handover of security responsibilities. The EU support to Somalia in this regard is in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and with the Somali Transition Plan.

Currently, the support for the military component of ATMIS and for the SNA are financed under the Assistance Measure in support of African-led Peace Support Operations worth €600 million under the EPF covering the period 2022-2024.

-0- PANA AR/MA 17April2024