African Union Transition Mission in Somalia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids African Union Transition Mission in Somalia |
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| Hawlgalka Isbeddelka Midowga Afrika ee Somaaliya Participant in Somali Civil War |
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| Leaders | Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef ATMIS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu |
| Headquarters | Mogadishu |
| Area of operations | Central and southern Somalia |
| Preceded by |  AMISOM |
| Allies |  Somalia |
| Opponents |  Al-Shabaab |
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) was a special mission by the African Union in Somalia. It helped the country move from peacekeeping to managing its own security. Before ATMIS, there was a mission called the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), which operated from 2007 to 2022.
The main goal of ATMIS was to help the Somali National Armed Forces take full control of security operations. Soldiers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti, and Uganda were part of this mission. ATMIS finished its work and was replaced by the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at the start of 2025.
What Was ATMIS?
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia started on April 1, 2022. It began right after the AMISOM mission ended on March 31. ATMIS focused on helping the Somali government become strong and independent in its security. The mission's plan was to finish by December 31, 2024. By that date, the Somali Security Forces were expected to be fully in charge of the country's safety. This plan was called the Somalia Transition Plan.
The first step to reduce the number of peacekeeping troops happened in December 2022. In May 2024, Somalia asked the United Nations to end this peacekeeping operation with the African Union. On March 2, 2023, Hillary Sao Kanu became the Commissioner of Police for ATMIS. Her job was to help keep the region safe, train local police, and provide them with equipment.
Important Events and Challenges
ATMIS faced challenges, including attacks from the group Al-Shabaab. Here are some key incidents:
- May 3, 2022 – Al-Shabaab fighters attacked an ATMIS military camp in El Baraf, Middle Shabelle region. They used guns and explosives. During the intense fight, 30 Burundian peacekeepers died, and 22 others were injured. About a dozen soldiers were also missing. This was the first attack on ATMIS after it took over from AMISOM.
- May 26, 2023 – Heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants attacked an ATMIS military camp in Buulo Mareer, Lower Shabelle region. They used car bombs to break through the camp's defenses. This attack resulted in the deaths of 54 soldiers from Ugandan troops. Al-Shabaab claimed a higher number of deaths. At least two soldiers were captured. The militants briefly took control of the town. This was the deadliest attack on Ugandan troops since they arrived in Somalia in 2007. It was also the most serious attack on ATMIS troops since the mission began.
See also
- African Union
- African Union-led Regional Task Force
- Multinational Joint Task Force
- Force Intervention Brigade
- Intergovernmental Authority on Development
- Islamic Courts Union
- Transitional Federal Government
- Somali Civil War (diplomatic and humanitarian efforts)
