Uganda calls for political body to oversee stabilization process in Somalia

KAMPALA - Uganda has called for the setting up of a political body to oversee the stabilisation process in Somalia.

The body will act in neutralising the threat of Al Shabaab against Somali Security Forces and the African Union Support and Stabilisation (AUSSOM), which is preparing the country ahead of the exit of peacekeepers in the country. 

“This would require us to develop a strategic road map in addressing political governance in the country, including political reconciliation, cohesion and dialogue among the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, clan leaders among others,” said Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He made the call on behalf of Uganda at the extraordinary meeting of the troop-contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSSOM) plus Somalia at Mestil Hotel, Kampala on Tuesday.

Participants at the four-day meeting in Kampala include delegations from Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of the expiry of the mandate of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) ending on 31 December 2024, which gave way to the AU-led AUSSSOM.

Strategic road map 

At the meeting, Bagiire also tackled the issue of financing challenges facing AUSSSOM, noting that success of this Mission will depend in large part on the provision of adequate, predictable and sustainable funding.

"It is, therefore, important to underscore the need for the timely implementation of UNSC Resolution 2719 (2023)," he said, revealing that the impact of unpredictable and unsustainable financing mechanisms remains an existential threat to the success of AUSSOM. UN Security Council Resolution 2719, passed in December 2023, provides for predictable and sustainable financing for African Union (AU)–led peace support operations (PSOs). Among others, it provides that UNSC provides 75 percent of the budget and 25 percent to be mobilized by partners.

EU support

Bagiire acknowledged "the substantial contribution and support" of the European Union and the United Kingdom to the successive AU security missions in Somalia, but noted that despite this, the perennial shortage of funds has continued to affect AUSSOM and its predecessor missions.

He noted that troop-contributing countries, including Uganda, have continued to deploy troops without remuneration in such a challenging terrain and environment. This is not to mention the deployment of bilateral troops with immense sacrifice, resilience and determination.

“I am glad that the AU Commission is joining us in this meeting. Our understanding is that the UNSC in resolution 2767 (2024) required the UN Secretary General, in collaboration with the AU to submit two reports to the Council, one in April and the other in May, upon which the UNSC would assess whether to confirm the use of resolution 2719 or not. We would be happy to hear from the AU Commission the current funding situation and what steps are being taken to address those funding challenges, including in meeting the reporting obligations in UNSC resolution 2767 (2024)," he said.