The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) plans to conclude the second phase of the withdrawal of its troops by September.
Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, ATMIS Commander, stated that preparations for the second phase of troops withdrawal are underway.
The drawdown is scheduled to be concluded by the end of September.
Phase 1 of the drawdown ended a month ago.
Thus far, ATMIS has reduced its numbers in Somalia by around 2,000 troops. This will increase once it pulls out a further 3,000 troops by the end of September.
In the meantime, ATMIS is to work closely with the Somali government as well as the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) to make the drawdown as seamless as possible.