The Chiefs of Defence Forces of the Troop Contributing Countries to Somalia under the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) agree that it is time to entrust the fight against the Al-Shabab militants with the Somalia National Army.
AMISOM is comprised of Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sierra Leone
The chiefs are still looking for an effective strategy that will allow them to completely withdraw their troops.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi says since September 2017, a total of 500 soldiers have been withdrawn following a resolution by the UN Security Council to gradually pull out of Somalia
The Chief of Defence Forces says this is part of a phased approach for AMISOM to completely hand over to the Somali National Army as directed by the UN Security Council.
Muhoozi made the remarks at the meeting of the Chief of the Defense Forces of the Troop Contributing Countries to Somalia.
On Friday the Heads of state of the Troop Contributing Countries will also meet in Kampala to further discuss how they can gradually withdraw from Somalia.