The African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is concerned that political disputes in Somalia could hinder the country’s security plan, as the mission faces uncertainty about its future.
The countries, who recently convened an emergency meeting in Kampala, want the Somali government to take steps to open an inclusive political dialogue, to reduce differences between the federal government and other political parties, and create an environment that allows for a gradual transfer of security responsibility to Somali forces.
The AUSSOM troop-contributing countries, who met in Kampala, want the political dimension to be included in the future plan for the African Union Mission in Somalia.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has opposed including internal political issues in Somalia as challenges for AUSSOM.
The Somali president has insisted that the country’s political disputes are issues that Somalis must resolve themselves, saying the Kampala meeting should focus on security and the future of AUSSOM.
The political conflict in Somalia comes at a time when AUSSOM is facing financial and logistical challenges, as support from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) ends at the end of December 2026.
