NAIROBI, Kenya — The African Union’s Somalia mission just got a reality check—and a high-level one at that.
In a no-nonsense summit held on April 25 at Uganda’s State House in Entebbe, heads of state and senior officials from troop-contributing countries (TCCs) gathered with one message: the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) needs more boots, more bucks, and more bite.
Convened by President Yoweri Museveni, the meeting pulled in some serious regional and global weight—from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to representatives from the UN and EU.
The bottom line? Without sustainable funding and a strategic troop boost, the hard-fought gains in Somalia could unravel.
The headline figure from the summit: an urgent call to deploy at least 8,000 additional troops. That’s not just a round number—it’s a lifeline. The TCCs warned that without this surge, the fragile security progress made under AUSSOM risks slipping through the cracks.
The call wasn’t just about troop numbers. Leaders also emphasized the need for rapid force generation to address capability gaps and maintain morale among current deployments.
It’s clear the mission is at a tipping point, and the leaders aren’t pulling any punches in demanding action.
To that end, the summit requested the African Union Commission (AUC) to craft a comprehensive Resource Mobilisation Strategy—one that ensures adequate, predictable, and timely funding to sustain the mission. Because let’s be honest, peacekeeping without the “keeping” part is just wishful thinking.
Boosting Somalia’s Own Security Forces
In addition to foreign troop contributions, the summit spotlighted a critical internal piece: Somalia’s own security apparatus.
Leaders called for a more robust Somali National Armed Forces training command to enhance coordination and forge a unified doctrinal approach. Translation? Somalia’s troops need better training, faster integration, and sustained mentorship to eventually take the lead.
It’s a delicate balance. While AUSSOM remains crucial, the long-term goal is for Somalia’s forces to stand on their own. And with extremist groups like al Shabaab still active, that goal can’t afford to be theoretical.
Countering Extremism Beyond the Battlefield
Peace isn’t just won with bullets—it’s also about narrative warfare. That’s why another key takeaway from the summit was the need to counter al Shabaab’s propaganda machine.
Leaders agreed that effective communications and local engagement strategies are just as vital as troop deployments in shifting the tide.
The meeting also reviewed the Somali Security Forces’ preparedness, the transition from Forward Operating Bases, and the AUSSOM exit plan, which is still being shaped.
The presence of representatives from the UN Transition Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the United States underscored how international coordination is central to this effort.
The Entebbe summit was a pointed reminder that the peace process in Somalia is at a critical juncture—and without rapid resource mobilisation, strategic troop increases, and smarter internal coordination, the region could find itself back at square one.
The leaders have spoken, and the roadmap is clear. Now it’s up to the African Union and its partners to turn promises into progress—because peace in Somalia isn’t just Somalia’s business. It’s everyone’s.
