The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia is said to need 8,000 more troops to help fight the Al-Shabaab group, with Burundi expected to withdraw its troops from Somalia.
Delegates from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, the African Union, and several organizations met in Uganda last week to discuss the security situation in Somalia and progress made in the mission.
Officials said in their statement that the troop shortage had led to a security lapse, which had led to Al-Shabaab resurgent, capturing large areas in Middle and Lower Shabelle.
Security officials have recommended an additional 8,000 troops for the African Union mission in Somalia to address the current security situation and prevent the reversal of hard-won gains.
The officials warned that the withdrawal of Burundian troops without any prospect of replacement by experienced troops would create a major security vacuum and further worsen the security situation in Somalia.
Diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse that the withdrawal of Burundian troops was based on a dispute between them and the Federal Government of Somalia.
