PRESS RELEASE : The UK encourages the African Union and Somalia to seize this opportunity [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 December 2022.

Thank you, President. I would like to thank Council Members for their constructive engagement on this text and for their support today.

As Somalia steps-up the fight against Al-Shabaab, ATMIS’s support remains vital. Yet, at the same time, the successful transition of responsibility from ATMIS to Somalia is an essential component of achieving long-term peace and security across Somalia.

The UK is proud to continue to provide financial support to the African Union and Somalia in this endeavour. In 2022, the UK will have provided over $55m for ATMIS and over $8m to the Somalia Trust Fund.

The extension to ATMIS Phase 1, authorised in this resolution, gives more time for the African Union and Somalia to work together and advance the strategic, gradual and sector-by-sector transition of security responsibility from ATMIS to Somali security and police forces.

The UK encourages the African Union and Somalia to seize this opportunity and we look forward to hearing about the progress made in March next year.

Thank you.