Kampala, Uganda – A high-level summit of African Union member states contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will take place on April 25, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda.
The meeting was confirmed through a joint communiqué following Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official visit to Uganda on April 5, 2025. During the visit, both countries emphasized the urgent need for enhanced political and military cooperation to counter the growing threat of Al-Shabaab and Daesh in Somalia.
A key agenda item will be funding, following U.S. opposition to full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 and financial strain within the EU due to the Ukraine conflict. The summit will seek strategies for securing consistent funding from regional and international partners.
As of now, the African Union member states contributing troops to the mission include:
Uganda: 4,500 troopsKenya: 1,410 troopsEthiopia: 2,500 troopsDjibouti: 1,520 troopsEgypt: 1,091 troops
The AUSSOM military component is expected to maintain 12,626 troops until June 31, 2025, as part of the first phase of the mission. By this date, 440 troops will be drawn down. The second phase, which will begin on July 1, 2025, will deploy 11,146 troops until December 31, 2025. The Concept of Operations (CONOPs) also envisions a gradual transition and eventual drawdown of forces, with a final exit from Somalia planned for December 2029, dependent on the security situation and ongoing joint technical assessments.
The African Union Mission in Somalia operates across several regions, with the following sectors:
Sector One: Banadir region, including parts of Mogadishu and Lower ShabelleSector Two: Lower Juba, Lower Shabelle, Middle Juba, and Gedo regions, with headquarters in Kismayo and an operational base in DhobleySector Three: Bay, Bakool, and Gedo regionsSector Four: Hiraan and Galgaduud regionsSector Five: Middle Shabelle region, with the main operational base in Jowhar
This summit will offer a platform to assess progress, address current gaps, and agree on future strategies to ensure the success of AUSSOM’s mandate in Somalia.