By Our Staff Reporter

KAMPALA, Uganda – Tuesday, 4 August 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to sustaining peace and stability in Somalia, insisting that African nations possess both the responsibility and the capacity to safeguard the country’s future despite uncertainties surrounding international support.

The President made the remarks while hosting the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

Held under the theme, “To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia,” the three-day summit brought together Heads of State, senior government officials, representatives of the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to assess the security situation in Somalia and strengthen regional efforts aimed at securing lasting peace.

Among the leaders attending were Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Burundi’s Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, Djibouti’s Acting Minister of Defence Omar Abdi Said, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Badr Abdel Atty, Ethiopia’s Special Envoy Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, and Kenya’s Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki. The summit was also attended by senior officials from the African Union, IGAD and the United Nations.

Addressing the gathering, President Museveni said Uganda’s military deployment to Somalia has always been guided by principle rather than geography. He noted that although Uganda does not share a border with Somalia, it chose to contribute troops because instability in one African country ultimately threatens the security of the entire continent.

The President said Uganda rejected violent extremist groups seeking to impose their ideology through force, stressing that such movements pose a danger to peace, development and regional stability. He added that Africa’s strength lies in its diversity, urging nations to embrace mutual respect and coexistence instead of allowing differences to fuel conflict.

Commenting on the reduction of support from some international partners, President Museveni emphasized that Africa should remain confident in its ability to address its own security challenges.

He said Somalia would not be abandoned because of changing positions by external partners, arguing that African countries have demonstrated in the past that they can work together to overcome difficult security situations. Drawing on Uganda’s liberation history, he recalled the support Uganda received from fellow African nations, particularly Tanzania and Mozambique, during the struggle to remove the Idi Amin regime.

The summit followed earlier meetings of the Chiefs of Defence Forces and Ministers of Defence, where delegates reviewed Somalia’s political and security situation, the readiness of the Somali Security Forces, progress in force generation and integration, as well as AUSSOM’s operational capabilities, including deployment and air support.

During the closed session, Heads of State considered reports presented by military and defence leaders before adopting recommendations aimed at strengthening the African Union mission and supporting Somalia’s transition toward lasting stability.

In the final communiqué, the leaders commended Troop Contributing Countries for their continued sacrifice in the fight against terrorism and paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives or sustained injuries while serving under AUSSOM.

The summit reaffirmed the importance of preserving Somalia’s unity, strengthening democratic governance, rebuilding state institutions and promoting inclusive politics based on national interests rather than clan or identity divisions.

To secure the future of the mission, the leaders directed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Troop Contributing Countries, working together with the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Commission, to establish a joint diplomatic task force. The team will spearhead efforts to mobilise predictable and sustainable funding for AUSSOM, including organising a donors’ conference to attract international financial and political support.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reiterated the AU’s commitment to Somalia, saying the gains achieved over recent years must be protected through sustained political commitment, stronger regional coordination and reliable financing. He described Somalia’s stability as essential to the peace and security of the Horn of Africa and the wider continent.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked President Museveni for convening the summit and praised Uganda’s longstanding contribution to Somalia’s peacebuilding efforts. He commended Uganda’s leadership within AUSSOM and appealed for continued support in mobilising the resources needed to sustain the mission.

The Kampala summit concluded with a renewed commitment by African leaders to deepen regional cooperation, strengthen Somali security institutions and ensure AUSSOM remains adequately supported as Somalia continues its journey toward lasting peace, security and national stability.