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28. As indicated earlier, a significant development has been the relocation of some ENDF troops from certain areas in Sector 3, where they have been deployed at Ethiopia’s own cost and sustenance, in support of the FGS and AMISOM. The Ethiopian government had announced, in addition to the withdrawal from Hudur in March 2013, its intention also to withdraw its troops from Baidoa, Berdale, Qansax Dheere and Manaas, by the end of April 2013. In an effort to avoid an Al Shabaab occupation of the areas to be vacated, and as a follow up to the conclusions of the last MOCC meeting, a Relief-in-Place planning session involving the ENDF, the SNSF and AMISOM took place in Mogadishu on 15 April 2013, during which a reconfiguration of forces for Sectors I and III was agreed to in order to reinforce Baidoa and take over Manaas, while the ENDF continues to secure Bardale. AMISOM has yet to deploy in Qansax Dheere, where the Ethiopian forces continue to maintain a presence. The reconfiguration of forces between Sectors 1 and 3 has resulted in a further outstretching of AMISOM troops, affecting both their capabilities to undertake offensive actions against Al Shabaab and to adequately secure the Mission’s main supply routes.
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