A high-level summit in Kampala brought together leaders from five African nations contributing to the African Union forces in Somalia, alongside Somali officials, to announce a significant escalation in efforts to stabilize the conflict-ridden country.
The meeting, involving Uganda, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, and newcomer Egypt, agreed to deploy an additional 8,000 troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), raising its total strength beyond the initially planned 11,900 personnel.
The decision comes as a response to the worsening security crisis in Somalia, where Al-Shabaab continues to threaten stability and reverse gains made by previous missions.
The summit’s communique outlined a multi-pronged strategy to strengthen AUSSOM’s operations, including a call for bilateral troop contributions to supplement the mission.
This opens opportunities for countries like Turkey to join the effort, while Ethiopia already maintains a substantial bilateral presence with thousands of troops on the ground.
A key focus of the summit was the need to protect past achievements in Somalia’s fight against extremism.
“We must not allow Al-Shabaab to regain ground,” a Kenyan delegate remarked anonymously. “These additional 8,000 troops will help us secure key areas and support the Somali government’s stabilization initiatives.”
The leaders also emphasized the need for enhanced air support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to amplify AUSSOM’s impact.
They called for stronger Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in AUSSOM sectors to improve operational reach and security.
In addition to military reinforcements, the summit urged the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to prioritize civil-military collaboration, focusing on humanitarian aid and rapid stabilization projects in areas reclaimed from Al-Shabaab.
These efforts aim to build community trust and solidify security gains.
The FGS was further encouraged to strengthen ties with Federal Member States and traditional leaders to counter Al-Shabaab’s influence on both military and ideological fronts.
The African Union’s broader role in Somalia’s recovery was also highlighted, with leaders advocating for the integration of the AU Support Mission into the country’s reconstruction, development, and peacebuilding processes.
The AU’s Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) center was identified as a key player in rebuilding the FGS’s institutional capacity.
To support Somalia’s long-term security, the summit proposed establishing a Somali National Armed Forces training command to improve the training and coordination of Somali Security Forces, ensuring a unified doctrinal framework.
The leaders also stressed the importance of countering Al-Shabaab’s extremist propaganda through targeted mechanisms.
Egypt’s entry as a troop-contributing country marks a notable expansion of the coalition, potentially enhancing regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Analysts believe Egypt’s involvement could bring new resources and strategic depth to the mission.
The Kampala Summit concluded with a renewed commitment to Somalia’s stability, though challenges such as funding the troop increase and coordinating a diverse coalition remain.
For now, the African Union’s resolve is clear: the battle against Al-Shabaab continues, with a stronger, more unified approach to secure Somalia’s future.
