Somalia Says Uganda's Troop Withdrawal Does Not Mean All Forces Are Leaving

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's federal government has clarified that the withdrawal of Ugandan troops deployed under a bilateral agreement does not mean all Ugandan forces are leaving the country.

Somalia's National Security Adviser, Ambassador Aweys Haji Yusuf Ahmed, said the troops currently being withdrawn are mainly those deployed under a separate agreement between the governments of Somalia and Uganda.

He stressed that Ugandan forces serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) remain in the country and will continue their duties alongside other mission contingents and the Somali National Army.

"The withdrawal of troops deployed under bilateral agreements should not be interpreted as the departure of all Ugandan forces from Somalia," Aweys said.

His remarks followed an announcement by the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) that it had begun withdrawing troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements, with the first contingent already returning to Uganda.

In a statement issued Nov. 2, the UPDF said the withdrawal of those troops would be completed within days. It added that all Ugandan forces in Somalia, including those serving under AUSSOM, are expected to leave by the end of 2027.

Aweys made the clarification after chairing a tripartite meeting involving the Somali federal government, AUSSOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).

The meeting reaffirmed the three parties' commitment to strengthening their coordination framework to improve cooperation, strategic planning and logistical support for AUSSOM and the Somali National Army.

Participants also stressed the need for sustained, predictable and adequate international support to accelerate Somalia's security transition, consolidate gains from ongoing military operations and strengthen the operational capabilities of the country's security forces.

The withdrawal announcement comes as Somalia continues to rely on international support to sustain security operations against al-Shabab militants and strengthen its national forces.

GAROWE ONLINE