KAMPALA, Oct 30 — Uganda announced today that it has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
The move comes amid mounting financial pressure on the African Union peacekeeping mission after Washington decided to withdraw its funding and logistical support for the operation.
In a diplomatic note sent on July 1, the US informed the African Union that it would oppose the renewal of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at the UN Security Council if the authorisation includes logistical or operational backing from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
Washington indicated growing frustration with the Federal Government of Somalia, citing insufficient progress in security sector reforms and a failure by local national forces to take full, independent ownership of their territory after nearly two decades of international intervention.
The US also opposed a financial model in which international bodies would pay for over 90 per cent of the mission’s combined costs.
A 25 per cent funding cut by UNSOS, tied to the withdrawal of the US’s financial contribution, has also affected frontline operations.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, said Uganda had begun withdrawing troops from Somalia, targeting a full pullout by August 2027.
Though the US initially announced an abrupt termination deadline of December 31, 2026, Washington negotiated a 12-month extension with the UN Security Council.
Rather than pulling the plug immediately, the US agreed to a phased drawdown of UN logistical services starting in January 2027.
Even with the one-year transition extension, however, the looming loss of US financial backing has placed severe pressure on the peacekeeper framework.
Uganda became the first nation in 2007 to deploy troops to Somalia under the original African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Following AMISOM’s transition to AUSSOM, which officially began operations on January 1, 2025, the mission shifted its focus to strengthening Somali national security bodies, protecting civilians, and preparing Somali forces to take full control of national security.
AUSSOM receives essential logistical support from UNSOS, including food, water, medical evacuations, fuel and troop transportation, through a broader UN support framework with an annual budget of approximately US$500 million. — Bernama-Anadolu
Date: 30 October, 2026 2:30 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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