President Museveni Reaffirms Africa’s Resolve to Stabilize Somalia

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni used an extraordinary summit in Kampala to restate Africa’s commitment to peace and stability in Somalia, arguing that African states have both the responsibility and capacity to support Somalia even if some international partners reduce their involvement. The meeting was hosted at Speke Resort Munyonyo and brought together heads of state and government from countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), along with African Union, United Nations and regional officials.

According to Watchdog Uganda, the three-day gathering reviewed the security and political situation in Somalia, the preparedness of Somali security forces, force generation and integration, and AUSSOM’s deployment and operational capabilities. Leaders attending included Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and representatives from Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia and Kenya, among others. The summit followed earlier meetings of defence chiefs and ministers.

Museveni said Uganda’s deployment to Somalia was driven by principle and strategy rather than geography, and linked the mission to broader African solidarity against violent extremism. The final communiqué praised troop-contributing countries, honored soldiers killed or injured in the mission, and called for Somalia’s unity, stronger state institutions and politics based on national interest. It also mandated foreign ministers, the Somali government and the African Union Commission to create a joint task force to seek predictable financing for AUSSOM and help organize a donors’ conference. The AU Commission chair and President Mohamud both backed the effort, saying continued support is important for Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.