The second Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) entered its decisive third and final day Friday, with African defence and military leaders under pressure to secure the future of the mission as its international support arrangements come under serious threat.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, arrived at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala for the third day of the high-level summit, which has brought together defence ministers, military commanders and senior officials from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya and Somalia.
The three-day meeting is expected to culminate in high-level decisions aimed at sustaining the African-led campaign to stabilize Somalia and contain the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
Mission Faces Funding Crisis
The summit comes at a critical moment for AUSSOM, with the mission facing uncertainty over funding, logistics and operational support ahead of January 2027.
African leaders are being forced to confront a looming gap in the international support system that has helped sustain peace operations in Somalia for nearly two decades.
The concern has been heightened by plans for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) to conclude operations on December 31, 2026, raising questions about how AUSSOM will finance and sustain its operations thereafter.
The troop-contributing countries are consequently seeking urgent and practical alternatives that will prevent disruption to the mission.
Defence Chiefs’ Report Wins Praise
The second day of the summit focused heavily on a technical report prepared by the Chiefs of Defence Forces, led by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Defence ministers commended the report, which provides the strategic foundation for discussions on the future of AUSSOM and is expected to guide decisions by regional Heads of State during Friday’s Extraordinary Summit.
Ms Patience Zanelie Chiradza, Director of the Conflict Management Directorate in the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, praised the military leadership for the work completed during the first day of the summit.
“I wish to commend the exceptional work conducted by the Chiefs of Defence Forces for the preparation of a report to be considered by the Ministers of Defence today,” Chiradza said.
She said the proposals generated during the technical deliberations would be important in guiding African leaders as they consider the future of the mission.“Proposals from yesterday’s meeting are crucial to better inform Heads of State to validate appropriate actions during this probable transition,” she said.
AU Warns of 2027 Support Threat
Chiradza also sounded the alarm over the deteriorating support environment surrounding AUSSOM, warning that the mission’s main support line faces serious challenges beginning in January 2027.
“The existence of the main support line for the AU mission in Somalia is under serious threat as of January 2027,” she cautioned.
The warning has amplified calls from troop-contributing countries for urgent and sustainable financing arrangements, with African officials insisting that the mission cannot continue operating on uncertain and inadequate resources.
She said previous technical engagements in Addis Ababa had examined the political, operational, security, financial and logistical dimensions of possible options for the future of AUSSOM.
Uganda Reaffirms Somalia Commitment
Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, used the ministerial session to reaffirm Kampala’s commitment to Somalia’s peace and security while calling for a broad strategy that goes beyond military operations.
Kiwanuka noted that Uganda has been at the forefront of the African peace effort in Somalia since the deployment of the first Ugandan troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2007.
He said Uganda’s nearly two decades of involvement demonstrated the country’s commitment to Pan-African solidarity, collective responsibility and the principle of African-led solutions to African problems.
The minister said the summit reflected a shared commitment not only to Somalia but also to stability in the Horn of Africa and across the continent.
‘Military Action Alone Is Not Enough’
Kiwanuka warned that military operations alone could not deliver lasting peace in Somalia.
He called for greater political dialogue, reconciliation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States, and stronger Somali institutions capable of taking full ownership of the country’s security.
“Building national ownership remains the most sustainable path towards enduring peace,” Kiwanuka said.
He argued that the success of AUSSOM would ultimately depend on the ability of Somalis themselves to establish effective and credible security institutions capable of protecting their territory and citizens.
Al-Shabaab Remains a Major Threat
Despite progress made under AMISOM, ATMIS and now AUSSOM, Kiwanuka said the security situation remained fragile.
“While progress has been made through AMISOM, ATMIS and now AUSSOM, the security situation in Somalia remains fragile. Al-Shabaab continues to carry out attacks targeting security forces, government institutions and civilians,” he said.
The minister stressed that the threat required coordinated military and political responses rather than reliance on military action alone.
He warned against creating security gaps during the transition from one mission arrangement to another, noting that previous handovers had demonstrated the dangers of premature withdrawals.
Kiwanuka called for continuous assessments of the security situation, particularly in areas where forward operating bases have already been handed over to Somali forces.
Uganda Demands Sustainable Funding
One of the most urgent issues before the summit is the question of financing. Troop-contributing countries have shouldered significant operational responsibilities in Somalia for years despite persistent complaints about unpredictable and inadequate funding.
Kiwanuka said the situation required a permanent solution rather than temporary funding arrangements.
“As we move forward under AUSSOM, there is an urgent need to establish financing mechanisms that are adequate, predictable and sustainable. AUSSOM cannot continue without the requisite resources,” he said.
His remarks underline the growing concern that African countries cannot indefinitely finance major peace-support operations without dependable international backing.
Muhoozi Calls for Unity and Creativity
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba had already sounded the alarm during the opening of the military chiefs’ session on Wednesday.
With the United Nations Support Office in Somalia preparing to conclude operations by the end of 2026, he urged troop-contributing countries to move quickly in developing alternative arrangements.
“These are difficult circumstances, but they also call for our unity, creativity, and resolve,” Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated.
The UPDF chief emphasized the need for countries contributing troops to AUSSOM to act collectively and develop African-led mechanisms capable of sustaining operations beyond the current support framework.
Somalia’s Future Tops Agenda
The summit has therefore evolved into a wider discussion about Somalia’s political future, military capabilities, financing and regional security.
Beyond defeating Al-Shabaab, delegates are considering how to strengthen Somali ownership of the peace process and ensure that security responsibilities can gradually be transferred to national institutions without exposing the country to renewed instability.
Chiradza also commended the Government and people of Somalia for their resilience and commitment to achieving a peaceful and lasting solution to the country’s longstanding challenges.
Leaders Now Face Critical Decisions
With the final day of the summit underway, attention has shifted to the decisions that will emerge from the Heads of State session.
The report prepared by the Chiefs of Defence Forces is expected to provide the technical basis for those decisions, while the ministers’ recommendations will shape the broader political response.
For Uganda, the summit represents both a security priority and a reaffirmation of its long-standing position that African countries should lead efforts to resolve continental conflicts.
But the central question remains whether that principle can be matched with the resources needed to sustain the mission.
AUSSOM at a Turning Point
As AUSSOM approaches a potentially difficult transition in January 2027, the decisions taken in Kampala could determine whether Somalia’s stabilization effort receives the financial and political support required to preserve hard-won gains—or faces another period of uncertainty while Al-Shabaab remains a potent threat.
The summit closes on Friday with regional leaders expected to issue final directives on the mission’s future, funding and support arrangements.
For the troop-contributing countries, the message has been consistent: the fight for stability in Somalia cannot be abandoned halfway.
An African-led solution, they argue, will require not only political will and military commitment, but also predictable and sustainable resources to keep AUSSOM operational.
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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