Somalia has expelled the deputy head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) after comments he made about Al-Shabaab’s April 9 offensive triggered sharp criticism from the Somali government.
The official—whose name has not been publicly disclosed—reportedly described the jihadist group’s coordinated assault in central Somalia as exposing “critical vulnerabilities” in national defenses and posing “a major threat to state stability.” Somali authorities denounced the remarks, arguing they undermined the government’s counterinsurgency efforts and eroded public confidence.
In a statement issued Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the AU envoy persona non grata, saying his presence was “incompatible with Somalia’s sovereignty and the trust necessary between international partners.”
The decision marks a rare diplomatic clash between Mogadishu and the AU mission, which has been deployed in Somalia since 2007 to help the government combat Al-Shabaab and restore stability. ATMIS, tasked with gradually transferring security responsibilities to Somali forces, is expected to complete its mandate by the end of 2024.
Al-Shabaab’s April 9 offensive was among its most significant in recent years, with militants launching simultaneous attacks on army bases in Galmudug and Hirshabelle states. Dozens of soldiers and civilians were killed before Somali forces, supported by ATMIS troops and U.S. airstrikes, pushed back the militants.
Diplomatic sources in Mogadishu cautioned that the expulsion risks straining relations at a critical moment, as Somali forces remain heavily dependent on international backing to contain the insurgency.
The African Union had not issued an official response by Saturday, though officials close to ATMIS said efforts were underway to ease tensions and maintain cooperation.
