Thursday April 24, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Kampala, Uganda, to attend a summit of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The summit aims to assess the initial phase of AUSSOM’s implementation, address operational challenges, and reinforce commitments to Somalia’s ongoing stabilization efforts.
The Kampala meeting brings together leaders from countries that have provided peacekeeping forces to Somalia for over a decade. The summit focuses on defining AUSSOM’s mandate, structure, and operational funding as the African Union recalibrates its role in Somalia amid the ongoing threat posed by the al-Shabaab insurgency.
In a statement released by Villa Somalia, President Mohamud emphasized Somalia’s continued commitment to “African-led solutions for African challenges” and expressed gratitude to the soldiers from contributing nations who have helped stabilize the country.
Since 2007, Somalia has hosted various African Union peacekeeping operations—first AMISOM, then ATMIS—tasked with repelling al-Shabaab forces and protecting key population centers. ATMIS, launched in April 2022, was designed as a transitional mission, gradually handing over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army (SNA). However, security challenges persist, particularly in central and southern Somalia, where al-Shabaab maintains a stronghold.
The evolution into AUSSOM reflects both progress and uncertainty. While the Somali government aims to fully assume security responsibilities, the drawdown of foreign troops has raised concerns about the readiness of Somali forces to operate independently. Recent attacks in the Galgaduud, Hiraan, and Middle Shabelle regions underscore the ongoing threat posed by the insurgency.
AUSSOM’s launch also comes amid shifting regional dynamics. Egypt’s recent alignment with the mission follows mounting tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over a controversial maritime agreement between Addis Ababa and Somaliland. These tensions have further complicated coordination among troop-contributing countries, particularly as regional powers assert competing interests in the Horn of Africa.
One of the most pressing issues confronting AUSSOM is its financial sustainability. Unlike its predecessors, AUSSOM began operations without a clear funding structure. The African Union and United Nations continue to explore long-term financing solutions, while Somali officials warn that the success of the mission hinges on consistent international support.
