The AU made the request through a diplomatic document called a note verbale, requesting that the reduction be completed by February 28. SCALE-BACKThe AU has a 21,500-strong force, Amisom, to support Somalia's fragile internationally-backed government and fight Shabaab jihadists blamed for scores of bloody attacks. The note verbale, seen by AFP Friday, summarises the conclusions of a November 30 meeting of Amisom's military operations coordination committee in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The note verbale takes place against a background of recent tension between Burundi and the AU. But as the Burundi troops are poorly equipped, it was then decided for operational reasons that the first phase of departures should be just the Burundi contingent, the source said.

Source: Daily Nation December 21, 2018 12:56 UTC