The second day of the three-day Extraordinary Summit for the troop- and police-contributing countries to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) entered a critical phase Thursday as African military leaders gathered at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala to deliberate on the future of Somalia’s peace and security mission.
Held under the theme “To Sustain the Stabilization Process in Somalia,” the summit has brought together senior military and security officials from countries contributing troops and police personnel to AUSSOM as member states seek to consolidate security gains and strengthen Somalia’s capacity to take greater responsibility for its own peace.
The high-level meeting has placed Uganda at the centre of discussions on the continent’s security architecture, with Kampala hosting military chiefs, defence ministers and eventually Heads of State to shape the next phase of the Somalia stabilization process.
MUHOOZI LEADS MILITARY CHIEFS
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba arrived at Speke Resort Munyonyo for the Chiefs of Defence Forces’ meeting, bringing together senior military commanders from countries contributing personnel to the Somalia mission.
The meeting is expected to provide a technical assessment of AUSSOM’s operations, including the prevailing security situation, the challenges confronting troops on the ground and the measures required to sustain the mission’s objectives.
For the military chiefs, the discussions are particularly significant because their assessments are expected to form the basis of recommendations that will later be considered by Defence Ministers and Heads of State.
The military commanders are therefore expected to focus on the operational realities of the Somalia mission and identify areas where troop-contributing countries need stronger coordination and support.
SOMALIA MISSION AT A TURNING POINT
The Kampala summit comes at an important stage in Somalia’s long-running efforts to restore stability and defeat armed threats while progressively strengthening national security institutions.
AUSSOM remains an important component of the African-led security architecture supporting Somalia. The mission depends heavily on the commitment of troop- and police-contributing countries, making consultations among their military and political leadership crucial.
The three-day summit is consequently expected to address how the mission can maintain momentum while supporting Somalia’s longer-term transition towards greater national ownership of security.
The discussions in Kampala are also likely to examine the need for stronger regional cooperation as African states seek more sustainable solutions to conflicts that continue to threaten peace and development.
OACPS CHIEF PRAISES UGANDA
On the sidelines of the summit, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba met Moussa Saleh Batraki, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa and provided an opportunity for the Ugandan military leadership and the OACPS chief to exchange views on regional peace, security and international cooperation.
Mr Batraki commended Uganda for its continued contribution to peacebuilding and regional stability, particularly recognizing the role of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in promoting security across the region.
He also praised Uganda’s leadership and what he described as the professionalism of its armed forces in supporting peace initiatives.The recognition offers a diplomatic boost to Uganda’s role in regional security at a time when African countries are seeking stronger collective approaches to conflicts and instability.
MUHOOZI REAFFIRMS UGANDA’S COMMITMENT
Gen. Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to advance peace, stability and sustainable development.He emphasized the importance of security to Africa’s development, underscoring that stability remains a key foundation for economic growth and social transformation.
Uganda has consistently presented regional security as a shared responsibility requiring cooperation among African states and support from international partners.That position was reinforced during the Munyonyo engagement, where security and development emerged as interconnected priorities.
UPDF’S REGIONAL ROLE UNDER SPOTLIGHT
The praise for Uganda comes against the backdrop of the UPDF’s longstanding involvement in regional peace-support operations.Uganda has played a prominent role in African security initiatives, particularly in Somalia, giving the country significant experience in peace-support and counter-insurgency operations.
The AUSSOM summit therefore provides Kampala with an opportunity to showcase that experience while contributing to discussions on the future of African-led security operations.Ugandan officials have repeatedly emphasized that the country’s regional interventions are aimed at creating an environment in which peace and development can take root.
TAYEBWA HIGHLIGHTS OACPS PARTNERSHIP
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa also used the Munyonyo meeting to underline the importance of Uganda’s engagement with OACPS.
Tayebwa thanked the organization for the warm reception extended to the Ugandan delegation and described OACPS as a critical partner, particularly because of its relationship with the European Union and its 79 member states across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
His remarks broadened the significance of the summit beyond military affairs, highlighting the connection between security, diplomacy, development and international partnerships.The OACPS engagement also demonstrates how security discussions in Africa increasingly intersect with economic and diplomatic cooperation.
DEFENCE MINISTERS NEXT
The three-day summit is structured to move from military-level discussions to political decision-making.The first stage was the meeting of Chiefs of Defence Forces, chaired by Gen. Kainerugaba. The second stage is the meeting of Defence Ministers, which is the focus of the summit’s next phase.
The Defence Ministers will be expected to consider the recommendations of the military chiefs and translate them into political and policy priorities.Their deliberations will then pave the way for the final meeting of Heads of State scheduled for Friday, July 31.
LEADERS TO DECIDE AUSSOM’S NEXT CHAPTER
The Heads of State meeting will be the climax of the Kampala summit, with regional leaders expected to provide the political direction needed to sustain the stabilization process in Somalia.
For troop-contributing countries, the summit represents an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment while assessing what is required to keep AUSSOM effective.For Somalia, the central question remains how to sustain security gains while progressively strengthening its own institutions and reducing reliance on external military support.
KAMPALA’S GROWING SECURITY PROFILE
For Uganda, hosting the summit further reinforces Kampala’s image as an important venue for continental security diplomacy.
The gathering has brought together military commanders, political leaders and international partners, placing Uganda at the centre of discussions about Somalia and the wider future of African-led peace operations.
As Day Two unfolds, the attention of African security stakeholders remains fixed on the decisions that will emerge from Munyonyo.
The summit’s success will ultimately be judged by whether participating countries can agree on practical measures to sustain AUSSOM, deepen regional cooperation and support Somalia’s journey towards lasting peace.
With Defence Ministers next on the agenda and Heads of State due to meet on Friday, the Munyonyo summit is moving steadily towards decisions that could shape the next chapter of Somalia’s security strategy.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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