Somali President Arrives in Kampala for Talks With Museveni Ahead of AUSSOM Summit
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Friday for bilateral talks with his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni, ahead of a summit expected to determine the future direction of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), according to AllAfrica.
The meeting in Kampala comes as regional and continental leaders prepare to convene on the mandate, configuration and financing of the AU mission in Somalia, which replaced the long-running African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2024. The transition marked a significant shift in how the African Union organises its peacekeeping and counter-insurgency operations in the Horn of Africa, with member states and international partners weighing how best to support Somali security forces while continuing efforts against armed groups operating in parts of the country.
Uganda’s longstanding role in Somalia
Uganda has been one of the most prominent contributors of troops to AU-led operations in Somalia over more than a decade, deploying forces under both AMISOM and its successor framework. Kampala’s hosting of the upcoming summit underlines the country’s continued diplomatic weight on Horn of Africa security matters, where it has positioned itself as a key partner for both the AU and Somalia’s federal government.
For Mogadishu, the Kampala discussions are part of a broader push to coordinate with neighbours and continental institutions on the security transition. Somalia has, in recent years, sought to take increasing responsibility for its own security, while still relying on AU and partner support to bolster its armed forces and stabilise districts previously held by insurgent groups.
What the summit could address
While details of the leaders’ discussions were not immediately disclosed, analysts say the Kampala meeting is likely to focus on troop commitments, mission funding, and the practical mechanics of how AUSSOM will continue to operate alongside Somali forces. The outcome of the summit is expected to shape the political and operational framework of AU engagement in Somalia for the period ahead.
Sources
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