Somalia, 17 October 2025 — The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the Somali National Army and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in their efforts to secure the country.
The announcement was made during a three-day visit to Mogadishu by a high-level EU delegation led by Dorota Dlouchy-Suliga, Head of Division for the European Peace Facility (EPF) at the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Raimondo Bussi, Head of Unit for the Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI) at the European Commission.
The commitment will be a welcome relief for Somali Security Forces and AUSSOM troops who have been facing financial and equipment challenges in their fight against Al Shabaab and other illegal armed groups in the country.
EU Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro said the European Union remains a committed partner in building Somalia’s long-term stability and sovereignty.
“The EU remains a committed partner of Somalia, supporting its efforts to build a secure and stable country. Through the European Peace Facility, we help strengthen the Somali National Army, enabling Somalia to gradually take full responsibility for its own security,” Ambassador Di Mauro stated.
The delegation held a series of meetings with senior Somali officials, including the State Minister of Defence, the National Security Advisor, and the Chief of Defence Force, to review ongoing cooperation under the EPF instrument. The discussions focused on how EU support can further accelerate Somalia’s transition toward self-reliant national defence capabilities.
A symbolic highlight of the visit was the handover of new military equipment to the General Dhagabadan Training Centre (GDTC) — a move seen as a practical demonstration of the EU’s on-ground support for Somalia’s defence institutions.
Dlouchy-Suliga emphasized the EU’s continued partnership with Somalia and its wider peace efforts across Africa.
“Our commitment to the people of Somalia and to a stable, democratic, and increasingly prosperous country remains unabated. The EU mobilised significant resources to enhance the capacity of the Somali National Army to protect the country and its population. The EU is and will remain a reliable partner to Somalia,” she said.
Since its establishment in 2021, the European Peace Facility has become one of the EU’s key global peace-support instruments, with Somalia as its largest African beneficiary. The EU has invested over €110 million to strengthen the SNA through providing critical equipment, infrastructure and capacity-building support, complementing the work of the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-Somalia).
The EU has also donated over €2.7 billion to support successive African Union-led missions, namely the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is committed to supporting AUSSOM.