Gen. Muhoozi Calls For African Unity And Resolve To Sustain Somalia Peace Mission

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reported that Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urged African military leaders to strengthen cooperation and prepare new logistics arrangements for the Somalia peace mission as international support structures change. He spoke at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala during an extraordinary meeting of Chiefs of Defence Forces from countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

According to the report, Kainerugaba said the mission is facing tighter financing and must respond with unity, practical planning and strategic clarity. The article said the United Nations Support Office in Somalia is expected to end operations by December 31, 2026, and that Uganda’s CDF pointed to changing diplomatic positions, including indications that the United States would not back renewing AUSSOM under the current UN support framework.

The Kampala talks are described as part of a three-day process involving Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt and Kenya, with Somalia participating as host nation. Watchdog Uganda reported that the military chiefs’ discussions are expected to produce recommendations for defence ministers on July 30, before regional heads of state consider the matter at the 15th Extraordinary Summit on July 31.

The report also cited Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, commander of the Somali National Armed Forces, as acknowledging the role of African peacekeeping efforts in Somalia. Brig. Gen. Cheick Dembele of the African Union’s Peace Support Operations Division was also reported to have emphasized continued African solidarity. The issue matters because any reduction or restructuring of external support could affect how African troop-contributing countries sustain operations and support Somalia’s security institutions beyond 2026.