Uganda is hosting an extraordinary summit of countries contributing troops to the African Union mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as regional leaders seek to chart the mission’s future amid growing uncertainty over its mandate beyond 2026.
The African Union mission has been making continued security gains against the Al Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia.
Discussions at the summit will focus on sustaining the stabilisation process under the theme, “To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia”, according to Uganda’s defence ministry.
The three-day summit opens on Wednesday with a gathering of chiefs of defence forces, followed by a meeting of defence ministers on Thursday, before heads of state and government meet on Friday.
Leaders from Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda are expected to attend, alongside senior officials from the African Union (AU), the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The summit comes at a pivotal moment when Somali forces, backed by AUSSOM troops and international partners, continue to conduct operations against the terrorist group as the country prepares to take up full security responsibilities.
Stabilisation process
Senior UN officials expected to participate include the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia and the head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
The African Union delegation includes AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and Head of AUSSOM, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene.
IGAD will be represented by its Deputy Executive Secretary.
In a statement issued ahead of the summit, Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and security through the African Union framework in partnership with the United Nations, IGAD and other international partners.
“The Government of Uganda is honoured to host this important gathering and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to regional peace, security and stability,” Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, said.
The UN Security Council renewed AUSSOM’s mandate in December 2025 for a further year, while calling for continued support for Somalia’s transition towards assuming full responsibility for its own security.
Regain strategic areas
Despite continued attacks by Al Shabaab, Somali authorities say government forces have regained control of several strategic areas over the past year, killing senior leaders of the group and hundreds of terrorists.
Officials also say basic public services, including healthcare, education and transport links have been restored in some communities previously under control of the terrorists.
The military campaign has been supported by international partners, with Türkiye playing an increasingly prominent role through security cooperation and political engagement.
Since early July, Ankara has facilitated dialogue between Somalia’s Federal Government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and opposition political groups in an effort to reduce political tensions as the country prepares for the next phase of state-building and security reform.
Diplomatic efforts have also intensified within the African Union.
On Monday, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene briefed AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on the implementation of AUSSOM’s mandate and the security situation in Somalia.
Analysts say the Kampala summit is likely to focus on ensuring that security gains are not reversed while addressing questions over the mission’s long-term financing, force posture and transition strategy after the current mandate expires at the end of the year.
Any agreement reached by leaders is expected to shape the next phase of the African Union’s security engagement in Somalia and could form the basis of recommendations to both the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council.
