MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Countries contributing troops and police to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) convened an extraordinary summit in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, on Wednesday to discuss urgent measures aimed at preventing the mission from sliding toward a potential crisis after the United States threatened to end its support for continued United Nations logistical assistance beyond December.
Wararka Soomaaliya
The emergency meeting opened at Speke Resort Munyonyo under the theme, “To Sustain the Stabilization Process in Somalia,” bringing together representatives from AUSSOM troop- and police-contributing countries — Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt and Somalia, the host nation of the multinational mission.
Senior officials from the United Nations, including the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), the African Union Commission and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are also participating in the summit.
The three-day Uganda summit is being held in stages. Chiefs of Defence Forces met on Wednesday, defence ministers are scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 30, while heads of state and government from AUSSOM troop-contributing countries will conclude the summit on Friday, July 31.
Faahfaahinta
The Kampala summit is expected to review the prevailing security situation in Somalia, evaluate AUSSOM’s operational performance and transition process, and discuss funding, logistics and long-term strategies aimed at sustaining regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
The meeting comes amid mounting concern over the future of the African Union mission after Washington threatened to discontinue support for continued UN logistical assistance beyond December. Troop-contributing countries and Somali officials have warned that such a move could place AUSSOM under severe strain.
UN logistical support has long served as the operational backbone of AUSSOM, enabling the mission to sustain its operations across Somalia. For nearly two decades, the African Union mission has remained the principal bulwark against the Al-Shabaab militant group, which continues to wage an insurgency with the stated objective of overthrowing Somalia’s Western-backed federal government in Mogadishu.
Saamaynta
Former Somali National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh, who worked with the current administration for years, said he does not know how Somali security forces would sustain the security gains achieved over the years if AUSSOM were to draw down completely. He warned that such a scenario raises fears that Al-Shabaab could mount a significant comeback and regain control of large parts of south and central Somalia.
The summit also takes place against the backdrop of Somalia’s escalating political crisis, with elections delayed and the constitutional terms of both the federal government and parliament having expired months ago.
Earlier this week, Somalia’s opposition appealed to leaders attending the Kampala summit to support the establishment of an inclusive national transitional council to help resolve the political impasse, steer the country toward elections and oversee a peaceful transfer of power.
Wararka.so waxay kuu soo tebineysaa wararka ugu dambeeyey ee Soomaaliya iyo caalamka. Si aad ula socoto wararkii ugu dambeeyey, booqo boggayaga.
