African Union Finalizes 11,900-Strong Force for Somalia’s AUSSOM Peace Mission

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The final deployment of soldiers to serve in the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) shall be concluded in due course, defense ministers from the African Union said, noting the essence of maintaining peace in the Horn of Africa nation.

The new peacekeeping mission — AUSSOM started its work in January 2025 but the final number of soldiers, police, and civilians expected to engage directly in the mission was determined this week. A total of 11,900 personnel shall serve in the new mission.

The ministerial-level conference of the Somalia Operations Coordination Committee (SOCC), which ended on Wednesday, resolved to convene a technical experts’ meeting to finalize the deployment plan for troops joining the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

“Guided by the decisions of the troop- and police-contributing countries, the SOCC endorsed Somalia’s force deployment plan as the primary framework for AUSSOM’s deployment, recognizing it as key to the mission’s operational success,” the ministers of defense said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Egypt have settled with Somalia on the exact number of troops to be involved in the mission but Burundi is yet to strike a deal with authorities in Mogadishu. The Central African nation wants its numbers to be doubled.

Also in the meeting this week were chiefs of defense and police who focused on the liquidation and closure of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), AUSSOM’s predecessor, and the operationalization of AUSSOM.

AU commissioner for political affairs, peace and security Bankole Adeoye, lauded the troop- and police-contributing countries for their steadfast dedication to Somalia’s stability through their service under ATMIS.

Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Somali minister of defense, highlighted the country’s progress and ongoing challenges while reaffirming Somalia’s commitment to regional cooperation for lasting peace and stability, state media reports.

The Somali National Army is expected to assume full security responsibilities once the foreign troops withdraw from the country but their mission readiness has always been questioned. The country is actively involved in the fight against Al-Shabab and ISIS militants.

GAROWE ONLINE