2,000 African Union troops preparing to withdraw from Somalia peacekeeping mission

The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia is facing a significant withdrawal, with 2,000 troops set to leave the country. This comes as a surprise, as it is only half of the original number that was planned to withdraw. The Somali government has requested a slower withdrawal due to concerns over the resurgence of the militant group Al-Shabaab.

The peacekeeping mission, which has been in place for 17 years, has been criticized for achieving little despite the significant resources allocated to it. Many parts of Somalia still remain under insurgent control, highlighting the challenges faced by both the peacekeepers and the Somali government.

The withdrawal of the troops is expected to be completed by December, but the African Union plans to establish a new 12,000-strong contingent to replace them. However, the rushed nature of the withdrawal and the lack of tangible results have raised questions about the effectiveness of the mission.

Both the peacekeepers and Al-Shabaab have faced accusations of war crimes, further complicating the situation in Somalia. As the withdrawal continues and new forces are brought in, it remains to be seen how this will impact the overall security situation in the country.