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{
    "id": 1291179,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1291179/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 89,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Aden Duale",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Defence",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "By fostering peace and stability in Somalia, we are also contributing to the achievement of regional and global developmental goals, including the African Union Agenda 2063, which aims to silence the guns, a major challenge in the Horn of Africa; and, attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Madam Temporary Speaker, the last question was on whether there are plans for withdrawal of Kenyan troops from ATMIS. If so, could the Cabinet Secretary indicate the timelines for such withdrawal? There are no Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia, KDF serve under ATMIS, through the African Union and Peace Security Council and with the approval of the United Nations Security Council. The decision for Kenyan troops to exit from Somalia is dependent on several factors, including the progress of the ATMIS mandate and the prevailing security and political conditions in Somalia. Our commitment has always been towards the realization of peace, stability, and sustainable development in Somalia for the benefit of Kenya and the region. The ATMIS mandate is guided by the African Union. KDF serve under ATMIS. This mandate is guided by two arms; that is the African Union and the United Nations Security Council resolutions, focusing on reducing the threat posed by al-Shabaab and other armed groups, enabling the handover of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces (SSF), and assisting in creating a secure environment for the political process at all levels in Somalia. In the meantime, I would like to report that under the guidance of the United Nations Security Council, there is an ongoing ATMIS drawdown strategy, which aims to gradually transfer security responsibilities to the SSF under the Somalia Transition Plan. Kenya, alongside other troop contributing countries and international partners, is actively engaged in supporting SSF capacity-building to ensure smooth transition. Already, there is drawdown of troops beginning April last year which will end in December of 2024. The last troops are supposed to leave Somalia in 2024 as per the African Union and United Nations Security Council Resolution and plan. Phase one of the drawdown has been completed where a total of 2,000 ATMIS forces have exited, with Kenya drawing down 400 troops by June 2023, Uganda drawing down 400, Ethiopia drawing down 400 and 600 troops from Burundi. Also, Djibouti drew down 150 troops. We were strategic on which Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to close. We wanted to make sure that when we exit from the FOB al-Shabaab do not take over. We exited from an FOB on the Wajir-Somalia border. It was about 7 kilometres distance from our base inside Kenya in Wajir County. We monitor the FOB we have closed as part of the drawdown to make sure al-Shabaab do not occupy. We have told the Somali Security Forces to occupy. Our interest is to make sure al-Shabaab are not our neighbours within seven kilometres of our border Subsequently, Phase 2 of the drawdown was initially planned to end on 30 September 2023. We are supposed to withdraw 600 troops. However, this has been technically paused while awaiting AU and UN decision on a request made by the Federal Government of Somalia (FCS) request for a three-months extension. This is because the"
}