Senior officers and delegates from Troop Contributing Nations (TCCs) to the African Union Assist and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) gathered in Kampala in the present day for a high-level preparatory assembly. The session precedes an Additional-Extraordinary Summit aimed toward evaluating ongoing efforts and setting the strategic course for long-term peace and stability in Somalia.
This summit was agreed upon in the course of the current official go to of Somali President H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Uganda. Leaders resolved to convene beneath the theme “To Stabilize Somalia,” figuring out this because the mission’s final goal.
Talking on the opening of the technical and senior officers’ assembly, Ambassador John Mugerwa, representing the Everlasting Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of International Affairs, described the gathering as well timed. It comes within the wake of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mandate ending on 31 December 2024.
Ambassador Mugerwa recalled that the African Union Peace and Safety Council endorsed AUSSOM’s Idea of Operations in August 2024. He defined that the mission is at the moment in its first section, specializing in repositioning troops and transferring key safety areas to Somali forces to make sure a seamless transition of obligations.
“Within the spirit of the frequent African defence and safety coverage, an assault on one is taken into account an assault on all,” he mentioned. “That is the spirit that has up to now guided this wrestle from the early days of AMISOM.”
He underscored that AUSSOM’s success rests on Somalia’s potential to construct and put together its nationwide safety forces, including that it “hinges on pressure technology, integration, mentorship, and the readiness of Somali forces.”
Condemning the current spike in assaults by the Al-Shabaab, Ambassador Mugerwa counseled the bravery of Somali forces and their worldwide allies.
“We should not enable Al-Shabaab to win,” he mentioned, stressing that the assembly presents a vital alternative to resolve operational points and set up a transparent strategic path.
He additional referred to as for stronger monetary and logistical help, stating, “The success of this mission will rely largely on the supply of ample, predictable and sustainable funding.” He acknowledged the essential contributions of the European Union, the UK, and different worldwide companions.
He conveyed condolences to these injured and honoured the troopers from TCCs and Somalia who, “paid the last word worth within the pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia.”
Ambassador Mugerwa reaffirmed Uganda’s long-term dedication to Somalia, relationship again to its preliminary troop deployment beneath AMISOM in 2007. He proposed the creation of a political physique to supervise stabilisation efforts, backed by a sturdy monitoring and analysis system, and advocated for political reconciliation between Somalia’s federal authorities, its federal member states, and clan leaders.
The assembly was attended by key army and diplomatic leaders, together with Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Prof. Sam Tulya-Muhika; Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding; AUSSOM Drive Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma; and representatives from Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.
