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Participation of the Burundian Delegation in the ATMIS Transition Meeting in Addis Ababa


The Burundian military delegation, led by His Excellency Alain-Tribert Mutabazi, Minister of Defense and Veterans, recently took part in the high-level meeting of Ministers of Defense from Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). This important meeting that took place on on the sidelines of the First African Defense Ministers Conference held on October 15-16, 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, gathered key defense officials to discuss the ongoing security challenges in Somalia and to deliberate on the future of the mission.

Attendees at the meeting included notable defense leaders such as His Excellency Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Djibouti; Her Excellency Eng. Aisha Mohammed, Minister of Defense of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Her Excellency Hon. Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for Defense of the Republic of Kenya; and His Excellency Jacob M. Oboth, Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs of the Republic of Uganda. These ministers, along with other officials, addressed the evolving situation in Somalia, particularly in the fight against Al Shabab, and exchanged views on the transition to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which is set to replace ATMIS in the near future.

During the discussions, the ministers acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by Troop-Contributing Countries over the last seventeen years in the fight against terrorism in Somalia. They highlighted the critical role these efforts have played in stabilizing the country and in helping to develop and strengthen governmental institutions within the Federal Government of Somalia. The ministers stressed the importance of honoring these sacrifices and the need to ensure that the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM proceeds smoothly. They particularly emphasized the importance of consulting TCCs during the design of the new mission to guarantee that their insights and experiences are integrated into the process.

One of the central topics of the meeting was the remaining phase of troop drawdowns and how to ensure a seamless handover to AUSSOM. The ministers also underlined the necessity of incorporating the lessons learned from ATMIS into the planning and execution of the new mission, to ensure its effectiveness and success in supporting Somalia’s ongoing stabilization efforts.

A key concern raised during the meeting was the existing budget shortfall for both ATMIS and AUSSOM. The defense ministers emphasized the importance of securing predictable, adequate, and flexible funding to ensure the success of these missions. They discussed strategies to address the funding gaps and ensure that the mission has the resources it needs to meet its objectives.

The Burundian delegation, headed by Minister Alain-Tribert Mutabazi, played an active role in these discussions. The delegation included Major General Diomede Ndegeya, the Minister’s Military and Diplomatic Affairs Advisor; Lt-Col Niyuhire, responsible for administration and protocol at the Minister’s office; Colonel Corneille Sindayigaya, Military Attaché at the Burundian Embassy in Ethiopia; and Mr. Philbert Murekambanze, First Counselor at the Burundian Embassy.

Additionally, Major General Audace Nduwumusi, Chief of Staff of the Multinational Force for Central Africa (FOMAC), participated on behalf of FOMAC, representing another key Burundian presence at the meeting.

As the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM moves forward, the collaboration and contributions of Burundi and other Troop-Contributing Countries will remain essential in shaping the future of peace and security in Somalia.

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