NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Defence Forces Commander Gen. Charles Kahariri condemned troop cuts in Somalia, warning they undermine hard-won gains against Al-Shabaab.
Kahariri, after meeting U.S. Africa Command chief Gen. Michael Langley, said the drawdown creates security vacuums Al-Shabaab has exploited to regroup.
“Several countries, including Kenya, deployed under interim agreements to fill gaps, but this is unsustainable without long-term international support,” Kahariri said.
The reduction is part of Somalia’s transition plan, with AUSSOM replacing ATMIS and shrinking forces from 22,000 to 11,000 soldiers.
Langley praised Kenya’s peacekeeping role, calling its forces essential to Somalia’s fragile stability and wider Horn of Africa security.
He stressed U.S.-Somalia cooperation remains critical against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, while handing AFRICOM command to Gen. Anderson, who prioritized Somalia’s stabilization.
