U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to members of the media outside the Security Council chamber, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, at United Nations Headquarters. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has advised the Security Council to maintain the current African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia until the end of the year, according to a letter received by the AFP news agency on Tuesday.

The African Union Mission in Somalia Amisom consists of 20,000 soldiers, police and civilians tasked with supporting the Somali government in its fight against Al Shabab.

The Amisom mission ends on March 31st, but the UN Security Council is expected to vote on March 30th to replace the new African Union Mission in Somalia Atmist.

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In a letter to the Security Council on Monday, Guterres said he preferred a plan to gradually reduce Atmis operations, to enable and support Somali security forces to take responsibility for Somalia’s security by the end of 2023.

“I urge the international community to continue its support by providing adequate funding to Atmist and the Somalia’s security forces, as well as to provide special capabilities,” Antonio Guterres said, adding that he was grateful for the contributions made by partners. presented security in Somalia.