African Union deploys troops to replace Ugandans in Somalia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
The African Union plans to deploy new troops from its AUSSOM mission to Somalia’s South West State to gradually replace withdrawing Ugandan soldiers. They are to take over four bases and secure, in particular, the Lower Shabelle region to prevent Al-Shabaab from exploiting Uganda’s departure, according to a mission letter seen by Caasimada Online.
The African Union plans to send new troops to Somalia’s South West State to take over four bases currently being vacated by Ugandan soldiers, according to Caasimada Online. The forces are to be integrated into AUSSOM, the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, its acting spokesperson, Colonel Chris Magezi, said.
The reinforcements are expected to operate mainly in the Lower Shabelle region, where they will cover areas including Barawe, Marka, Buulo Mareer, Janaale and Qoryooley. Their deployment aims to prevent Al-Shabaab fighters from exploiting a security vacuum during Uganda’s withdrawal, which is due to be completed by the end of 2027, according to Caasimada Online.
The troop replacement comes as AUSSOM faces a funding shortage and uncertainty over the international support on which the mission depends. Uganda sent its first soldiers to Somalia in 2007, as part of AMISOM, which was replaced by ATMIS in 2022 and then by AUSSOM on 1 January 2025.
The plan follows the departure by plane of 107 Ugandan soldiers, announced on 1 November, and the start of Uganda’s military withdrawal by 2027, announced on 2 November.
