Somalia Says Funding Hurdles Delay Egyptian Troops Deployment to AUSSOM

By Shire Abdi - Reporter

Mogadishu, 1 September 2026 - Funding and logistical hurdles have delayed the deployment of Egyptian troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Somalia said, adding that Egypt remains committed to the mission.

The delay is not due to lack of political commitment or readiness by Egypt, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar, known as Ali Balcad, told Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper in an interview aired Sunday.

"The problem is not Egypt's political commitment or lack of readiness," Ali Balcad said.

He linked the delay to planning and procedures involving the African Union and United Nations, including troop rotation, logistics and operational requirements.

He also pointed to the need for sustainable funding for AUSSOM, which has faced financial pressure since its launch.

"We want all the procedures related to the participation of the Egyptian forces to be completed as soon as possible," he said.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Egyptian troops preparing for the mission in February and reviewed their readiness, Ali Balcad said.

The AU has allocated 1,091 Egyptian troops to AUSSOM's force structure, alongside 4,500 from Uganda, 2,500 from Ethiopia, 1,520 from Djibouti and 1,410 from Kenya.

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The transition plan envisaged Burundian troops withdrawing and being replaced by Egyptian forces.

Somalia and Egypt have been preparing since 2025 for the deployment, including identifying locations, arranging logistics and coordinating the mission. An Egyptian military delegation also visited Somalia to assess proposed locations.

The AU estimated AUSSOM's annual budget at about $196 million, while the mission received roughly $120 million in 2025, leaving a gap of about $76 million.

The European Union provided an additional 75 million euros in April, but financial pressures continue.

The outlook has also come under pressure after the United States told the AU and UN it would stop funding from 2027 the U.N. office that provides logistical support to AUSSOM, including food, fuel, medical care and transport.

The AU warned in July that funding shortages threatened AUSSOM's ability to fulfil its mandate and called for reliable financing.

AUSSOM replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as Somali forces gradually assume responsibility for security.