MOGADISHU, Somalia (Banaadir24) — Somalia and the African Union have reached a key milestone in planning the future of regional peacekeeping, with the conclusion of a weeklong coordination summit in Mogadishu aimed at defining the shape and structure of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The talks, which involved senior defense and foreign affairs officials from Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, culminated in a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining troop and police commitments to the post-ATMIS mission. Officials described the agreement as a “living framework” for long-term stabilization, security support, and partnership with Somali authorities.
“This is an African-led vision for Somalia’s security, sovereignty, and future,” said Ambassador Mohammed El-Amine Souef, the African Union’s Special Representative for Somalia. “It’s not just about deployment, but about strengthening institutions and building a sustainable peace.”
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which replaced the earlier AMISOM framework, is set to complete its withdrawal by December 2025. AUSSOM will assume a new mandate, less focused on front-line combat and more aligned with stabilization, police reform, and support for civil governance in newly recovered areas.
Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Moallim Fiqi welcomed the outcome, saying the MoU lays the groundwork for a more strategic partnership that reflects Somalia’s improving security capabilities.
Under the draft plan, each participating nation is expected to contribute specialized units—ranging from infantry battalions and engineering teams to community policing, logistics, and medical support. Unlike previous missions, AUSSOM will reportedly operate under joint planning and Somali oversight, in an effort to avoid the pitfalls of parallel command structures that hampered earlier missions.
“This next phase must be more agile, accountable, and in sync with Somali realities on the ground,” said Abdinasir Mohamed, a former AMISOM advisor. “The fact that countries like Sierra Leone are reengaging signals broader African buy-in.”
While the draft MoU still requires final endorsement at the African Union Peace and Security Council, expected in Addis Ababa next month, officials are optimistic that the momentum from this week’s summit will carry forward.
The talks also included discussions on financing, with Somalia and AU partners urging international donors to provide sustained, predictable funding, particularly as foreign security assistance faces global budget constraints.
“AUSSOM cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” Ambassador Souef noted. “Security gains must translate into governance, development, and dignity for Somali communities.”
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