The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Troop-contributing countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are urging the African Union Commission, in collaboration with its partners, to secure funding for the peacekeeping initiative.
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During the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the TCCs, held on April 25 at State House in Entebbe, Uganda, leaders emphasized the urgency of addressing operational gaps by ensuring reliable, adequate, and long-term financial support for AUSSOM.
The summit called on the AU Commission to craft a Resource Mobilisation Strategy and Financing Framework for the mission, stressing the need for swift troop deployment to fill existing capability deficits and maintain the morale of personnel on the ground.
A key recommendation from the meeting was the deployment of an additional 8,000 troops to enhance AUSSOM’s capacity in responding to the current security threats in Somalia and to protect progress achieved thus far.
Participants also advocated for strengthening the Somali National Armed Forces training command to streamline the training and integration of Somali security personnel through a unified doctrine.
The summit reiterated the importance of countering extremist ideologies and combating Al Shabaab’s propaganda.
Convened at the invitation of Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the summit brought together leaders including Somali President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Kenya’s Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Djibouti Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and Ethiopia’s Defence Minister Ayisha Mehamed Musa.
Also in attendance were African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, UN representatives James Swan and Aisa Kacyira Kirabo, as well as delegates from the EU, UK, and USA.
The summit aimed to review reports from foreign and defence ministers on the status of AUSSOM, the Somali Security Forces’ readiness, force integration and mentorship progress, the status of transferred Forward Operating Bases, the AUSSOM exit strategy, and mechanisms for oversight, accountability, and coordination.
