Somalia Seeks Bilateral Security Agreements to Keep Foreign Forces Post-AU Mission
Somalia’s federal government is urging regional troop-contributing countries to sign bilateral security agreements that would maintain the presence of foreign forces beyond the impending conclusion of the African Union’s current stabilization mission in 2026.
The proposed framework would shift selected contingents from the AU framework to direct arrangements with the Somali government. This move is driven by concerns that the withdrawal of US financial support for the AU mission could trigger mass withdrawals and potentially empower al-Shabaab.
The Somali government has already engaged in discussions with two current troop-contributing nations regarding the bilateral arrangements. Additionally, they are reportedly seeking direct talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to secure the continuation of approximately 2,000 Ugandan troops guarding key installations in Mogadishu.
The government is also exploring funding options from an unnamed Arab state to support the bilateral deployments, but officials remain cautious about securing this support.
Critics have expressed concerns that the shift to bilateral agreements could fragment command and control among foreign forces, despite the apparent willingness of countries like Ethiopia and Kenya to maintain engagement.
The Somali government has not officially commented on the reported proposal, while neither Uganda nor Villa Somalia has publicly addressed the alleged discussions with Museveni.
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