Africa-Press – Uganda. Defence ministers from countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have endorsed a strategic report by military chiefs aimed at guiding the mission’s future as uncertainty grows over funding and logistical support ahead of the withdrawal of the United Nations support structure.
The three-day summit, bringing together defence and military leaders from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya and Somalia, is reviewing recommendations from the Chiefs of Defence Forces (CDFs) on sustaining the African-led mission beyond the planned end of operations by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) on December 31, 2026.
The report, completed by the CDFs on Wednesday, will guide deliberations by defence ministers before being submitted to regional Heads of State for consideration at an Extraordinary Summit on Friday.
Ms Zinene Chiradza, Director of the Conflict Management Directorate at the African Union Commission, praised the military chiefs for producing the report, saying it would provide the technical foundation for political decisions on the future of the mission.
She warned that the mission’s primary support arrangements face significant uncertainty from January 2027.
“The existence of the main support line for the AU mission in Somalia is under serious threat as of January 2027,” Chiradza said.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who chaired the meeting of military chiefs, called for urgent action to establish alternative support arrangements for AUSSOM.
He said troop-contributing countries must respond with unity and innovation as the mission prepares for a possible transition in its support mechanisms.
“These are difficult circumstances, but they also call for our unity, creativity and resolve,” Gen Kainerugaba said.
Opening the ministerial session, Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth Kiryowa Kiwanuka reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to peace and security in Somalia, recalling that Uganda was the first country to deploy troops under the African Union mission in 2007.
Kiwanuka said the transition from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to AUSSOM must be carefully managed to prevent security gaps that could be exploited by armed groups.
He warned that al-Shabaab remains a major security threat, requiring continued coordination between Somali authorities, regional forces and international partners.
“Building national ownership remains the most sustainable path towards enduring peace,” Kiwanuka said, stressing the need to strengthen Somali security institutions and improve cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States.
The minister also highlighted persistent financial challenges facing AUSSOM and called for dependable, long-term funding arrangements to ensure the mission remains operational.
“AUSSOM cannot continue without the requisite resources. We must find a solution to this perennial challenge,” he said.
The meeting comes as troop-contributing countries seek sustainable African-led solutions for Somalia’s security while gradually transferring greater responsibility to Somali security forces.
The summit is expected to conclude on July 31, when Heads of State will receive recommendations on AUSSOM’s future direction, financing and operational support.
