Museveni Vows Africa Will Stand by Somalia Despite Funding Uncertainty

President Yoweri Museveni has declared that African nations will continue supporting Somalia’s peace and stabilization efforts, even if the United States and other international partners withdraw financial and logistical backing for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Speaking on Friday at the closing of the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State of Troop-Contributing Countries to AUSSOM at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Museveni said Africa has consistently overcome security challenges through regional unity rather than relying on external assistance.

“If the international community wants to pull out, let them. All the problems we have solved here, we solved without their support. We got support from our brothers. When we fought Amin, it was Tanzania and Mozambique. On Sudan, it was us. Somalia will not be abandoned. We have the capacity. Whether others pull out or not, we shall stand,” Museveni said.

He pointed to Africa’s liberation struggles as proof that the continent has the resilience and determination to address its own security challenges.

Defending Uganda’s continued military presence in Somalia, Museveni said the deployment was guided by regional security interests and principle rather than foreign agendas.

He explained that Uganda intervened after extremist groups sought to impose their ideology through violence, posing a threat to peace across the Horn of Africa. He also said Uganda acted in solidarity with Ethiopia, which faced increasing threats from armed groups operating in Somalia and Sudan.

“When we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia, it was out of principle and strategy. We did not accept the chauvinism of Islamic groups who come here and waste our time. The second reason was to extend solidarity to Ethiopia. We had to stand with them,” he said.

The Munyonyo summit was held amid uncertainty over the future financing of AUSSOM after the United States informed the African Union on July 1, 2026, that it would not support renewing the mission’s mandate when it comes before the United Nations Security Council in December.

The decision is part of Washington’s broader review of funding for several UN and international peace support operations.

Despite the funding concerns, African leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Somalia’s security transition and called for predictable, sustainable financing that supports African-led peace initiatives.

Addressing delegates, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the Commission remains committed to mobilizing the political, diplomatic, and financial support needed to ensure the success of the mission.

“I wish to assure the government and people of Somalia that the Commission will continue to mobilize all the political, diplomatic, and financial support necessary for the success of this mission,” Youssouf said.

He also paid tribute to African troops serving under AUSSOM, commending their professionalism, discipline, and sacrifices in helping restore stability in Somalia.

Uganda became the first country to deploy troops to Somalia in 2007 under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Since then, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have worked alongside the Somali National Army to reclaim key territories from the Al-Shabaab militant group and protect critical government infrastructure.

In 2024, AMISOM transitioned into AUSSOM, with a renewed focus on strengthening Somalia’s national security institutions, protecting civilians, and gradually transferring security responsibilities to Somali forces.

The summit concluded with participating Heads of State issuing a joint communiqué reaffirming their commitment to AUSSOM and urging global partners to provide sustainable, long-term financing to support peace and stability in Somalia and the wider region.