Somali Future Council calls for AUSSOM troops to remain in Somalia

Somalia’s Somali Future Council has called on countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to keep their forces in the country and continue supporting the mission amid ongoing political, electoral and security challenges.

In a statement, the opposition grouping urged the troop-contributing countries not to withdraw their personnel, arguing that “Somalia’s current political situation, uncertainty surrounding the electoral process and security challenges require the continued presence of the African Union mission” .

The Somali Future Council appealed directly to the countries that have deployed troops to Somalia, asking them to maintain their military presence and continue the AUSSOM mission.

The call comes as discussions continue over the future of the African Union’s security role in Somalia and the financial pressures facing the mission. While there is currently no confirmed plan to withdraw all African Union troops from Somalia, officials and international partners have been holding consultations on the mission’s future, funding and long-term security transition.

The Federal Government of Somalia has participated in military and security consultations in Mogadishu and Addis Ababa as stakeholders assess the future of the African Union mission.

Somalia is also expected to participate in a meeting in Kampala on July 31, where the future of AUSSOM and related security issues are expected to feature on the agenda.

The Somali Future Council’s appeal comes at a time when Somalia continues to work toward assuming greater responsibility for national security while relying on international support to maintain security gains and combat Al-Shabaab.

Mustaqbal