Uganda: Aussom Troop-Contributing Nations Seek UN Extension for Somalia Mission At Kampala Summit

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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Uganda's capital, Kampala, on Friday for bilateral talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ahead of a summit expected to shape the future of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as reported by AllAfrica.

The two leaders discussed strengthening long-standing ties between Somalia and Uganda, with talks focusing on security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, state-building and regional collaboration to promote lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. They also exchanged views on the upcoming summit of leaders from countries contributing troops to AUSSOM, which is expected to address the mission's future, continued international support for Somalia's security sector and the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces.

Coverage Comparison

The meetings come as defence ministers from AUSSOM troop-contributing countries, meeting earlier in Kampala, agreed to seek a United Nations extension of the mission by up to two years. According to an AllAfrica report, ministers and senior defence officials from Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda endorsed a joint communiqué calling for the UN Security Council to extend AUSSOM's mandate by 18 to 24 months.

The ministers said the extension would help prevent a security vacuum while Somalia continues building the capacity of its national security forces to gradually assume full responsibility for the country's security. The meeting focused on the future of AUSSOM, sustainable financing for the mission and contingency planning ahead of the expected end of U.S. support for the operation at the close of 2026, as reported by AllAfrica.

Separately, AllAfrica reported that the Somali President's visit occurs at a critical time for Somalia, which faces mounting security, political and economic challenges. The Somali government continues military operations against the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab while seeking international backing to sustain security gains as uncertainty grows over the future funding and mandate of AUSSOM.

The reports also highlight political tensions over electoral reforms and constitutional amendments, with disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures complicating efforts to build political consensus, as carried by AllAfrica.

Key Claims

• Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Kampala and held bilateral talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ahead of a summit on AUSSOM's future, as reported by AllAfrica.
• The talks covered security cooperation, counterterrorism, state-building, and regional collaboration for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, according to AllAfrica.
• Defence ministers from AUSSOM troop-contributing countries — Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda — endorsed a joint communiqué calling for a UN Security Council extension of AUSSOM's mandate by 18 to 24 months, as reported by AllAfrica.
• The ministers said the extension would help prevent a security vacuum while Somalia builds its national security forces to take over full security responsibility, according to AllAfrica.
• The United States announced it would end its support for AUSSOM when current arrangements expire at the end of 2026, as reported by AllAfrica.
• Uganda remains the largest troop contributor to AUSSOM and has played a central role in African Union peace operations in Somalia for nearly two decades, as reported by AllAfrica.
• Somalia faces increasing financial pressures, including the need for sustained international funding for its security forces, government institutions and development programmes, as reported by AllAfrica.
• AUSSOM replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in early 2025 and is mandated to support Somali forces against Al-Shabaab while assisting the country in gradually taking over security responsibilities, as reported by AllAfrica.
• The defence ministers' meeting served as a precursor to an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government from AUSSOM troop-contributing countries and Somalia, expected to decide on the mission's long-term strategy, funding arrangements and the next phase of security support, as reported by AllAfrica.

Somalia was represented at the defence ministers' meeting by State Minister for Defence Omar Ali Abdi, who signed the communiqué on behalf of the federal government. Somali officials reiterated Mogadishu's commitment to leading the country's stabilisation efforts while working with regional and international partners to complete the transition of security responsibilities, as reported by AllAfrica.