By Sharon Kyomugisha.
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka has called for a broader approach to restoring peace in Somalia, saying military operations must be backed by political dialogue, reconciliation and institution-building to achieve lasting stability.
Addressing Defence Ministers and Chiefs of Defence Forces on the second day of the Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kiwanuka said peace in Somalia remains central to the security of the Horn of Africa and the continent.
He noted that while AMISOM, ATMIS and now AUSSOM have recorded progress, the security situation remains fragile, with Al-Shabaab continuing to target security forces, government institutions and civilians.
Kiwanuka cautioned against creating security gaps during the transition to AUSSOM, saying previous drawdowns had shown the dangers of withdrawing too quickly. He called for continuous assessments before handing over additional forward operating bases to Somali security forces.
The minister also urged the African Union and its partners to secure predictable and sustainable funding for the mission, warning that AUSSOM cannot achieve its mandate without adequate financial support.
Director of the Conflict Management Directorate at the African Union Commission, Ms Patience Zanelie Chiradza, warned that the mission’s main support arrangements face significant challenges from January 2027, underscoring the need for urgent decisions on its future financing and operations.
The meeting brought together Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Defence Forces, senior military officers and delegates from countries contributing troops to AUSSOM.
