HON. ODONGO JEJE ABUBAKHAR DELIVERS STATEMENT TO THE AU PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, this morning December 19, 2024 addressed a Virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, on Somalia and Post ATMIS Security arrangements. Hon Odongo congratulated Somalia for three successive elections, achieving a credible Government and Leadership; underscoring the fact that they are about to join the UN Security Council. He saluted all the Troop and Police Contributing Countries and commended all partners for the support rendered to Somalia, AMISOM/ATMIS over the years. He called expressed deep concern over the recent situation in Ras Kamboni urging de-escalation of tension and calling for the Parties to engage in dialogue with the view to resolving any differences between the FGS and Juba-land.

Gen. Odongo welcomed the meeting of CDFs of Troop Contributing Countries that took place on 04 December 2024 in Mogadishu and its outcomes. He added that at the request of the Federal government of Somalia, Uganda, like the other countries, stood ready to support Somalia, in the spirit of brotherhood, Pan Africanism and solidarity. Expressing deep concerns about the funding model of ATMIS, Gen. Odongo said that Uganda strongly supports the immediate and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to finance the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia with effect from 01 January 2025;

He urged the Commission together with the UN to draw up a road map for resource mobilization to fill the funding gap of 25% for AUSSOM as directed by resolution 2719, including the possibility of convening a pledging conference.
He further urged the Commission to present the AUSSOM Budget for consideration in order to determine how much can be charged on the Peace Fund in line with the decision of the 1236 th meeting of the PSC; and called for the Commission, the UN and International Partners to mobilise in earnest the requisite funding to fill the ATMIS deficit
of 120m USD by 31 December 2024.