Representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations, the African Union, and countries contributing troops to the upcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are set to meet soon to discuss the mission’s transition plan. The preparations aim to initiate meetings before mid-November, allowing all stakeholders to establish key steps for the mission set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
According to sources who spoke to Mustaqbal, discussions include applications from new countries interested in joining AUSSOM, alongside deliberations on how the forces can effectively collaborate to achieve the mission’s core objectives.
Security Advisor to the President of Somalia, Hussein Sheikh Ali, has been actively meeting with representatives from the United Nations and the African Union to lay the groundwork for this new mission.
Unlike its predecessors, ATMIS and AMISOM, AUSSOM will deploy a smaller, more targeted force to work closely with the Somali National Army. This approach is aimed at strengthening Somalia’s security capacity and ultimately preparing Somali forces to take full responsibility for national security in the near future.
Somalia has maintained a firm stance regarding Ethiopia’s involvement in the new mission, citing Addis Ababa’s recent actions as a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. Due to these concerns, Somalia plans to exclude Ethiopia from participation in AUSSOM.
The upcoming discussions mark a significant step in Somalia’s security transition, with all parties committed to ensuring the mission’s success in strengthening security and advancing Somalia’s path toward stability and self-reliance.
