AU Nations Press for Increased Troop Deployment as Somalia’s Stability Wanes
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On April 26, 2025, ENA reported from Addis Ababa that defense and foreign affairs ministers from nations contributing troops to the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia urged immediate action. They warned of deteriorating security conditions in Somalia due to the increasing influence of the al-Shabaab extremist organization.
The ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda met alongside their counterparts from Somalia in Kampala, which is the capital city of Uganda.
Uganda's Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth, stressed the importance of addressing the increasing menace from al-Shabaab and supporting the current stability measures in Somalia.
According to an official statement, he urged for more troops to be deployed, emphasizing that failing to act could result in the loss of valuable progress achieved during operations.
The Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, has urgently appealed for the strengthening of rapid response units and a comprehensive offensive across multiple sectors aimed at recapturing territories recently seized by al-Shabaab. He emphasized that achieving peace in Somalia would ensure stability throughout the entirety of the Horn of Africa region.
In May 2019, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution permitting a decrease in troops, with Somali forces assuming responsibility for securing their nation.
While Uganda decreased its military presence, Burundi withdrew its soldiers from the conflict-ridden nation. Xinhua reported.
The chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, emphasized the importance of continued political and financial backing for African Union missions in Somalia.
Youssouf stated that UN Security Council Resolution 2719 emphasizes the necessity of consistent and sustained financing for African-led peacekeeping missions, highlighting that maintaining global peace is a collective duty.
He mentioned that the AU is asking for just $190 million USD for 2025, which is significantly lower compared to the approximate $7 billion annual global economic impact of maritime piracy previously.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Defense, Soipan Tuya, suggested that the difficulties with funding could be due to donor fatigue. She emphasized the critical requirement for stable financial support.
Tuya emphasized that Somalia's stability is crucial for both regional and global security, calling upon the international community to unite in their efforts.