By Maher Ahmed - Reporter
Uganda, July 31 2026 – Leaders of countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are meeting in Kampala on Friday to discuss the future of the mission, as uncertainty over long-term funding and approaching end of its current mandate weigh on regional security planning.
The summit follows meetings this week of military chiefs and defence ministers from troop-contributing countries, whose recommendations are expected to be considered by heads of state and government. The gathering brings together Somalia, Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt and Burundi, alongside representatives of the African Union, the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
According to Uganda's Ministry of Defence, the summit is being held under the theme "To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia" and is expected to focus on the mission's operational requirements, financing, force generation and regional cooperation in support of Somalia's security transition.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Kampala on Thursday, where he met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to discuss bilateral security cooperation and support for AUSSOM ahead of the summit. The two leaders also stressed the importance of sustained international backing for Somalia's efforts to strengthen security institutions and expand state authority.
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The meeting comes at a critical time for AUSSOM, which has been grappling with financial pressures following uncertainty over future international support. The mission's current authorisation expires on Dec. 31, 2026, meaning any extension or significant changes would require a new decision by the United Nations Security Council.
AUSSOM, which succeeded the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Jan. 1, 2025, supports Somali security forces through joint operations, training and stabilization efforts while facilitating a gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somali authorities.
Analysts say the Kampala summit is likely to shape recommendations on the mission's future structure and financing before they are forwarded to the African Union Peace and Security Council and, ultimately, the U.N. Security Council for consideration.