African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia |
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| Hawlgalka Taageerada iyo Xasilinta Midowga Afrika ee Soomaaliya Participant in Somali Civil War |
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Map of Somalia
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| Preceded by |  ATMIS |
| Allies |  Somalia |
| Opponents |  Al-Shabaab |
The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will serve as the African Union's new peacekeeping and stabilization operation in Somalia. Succeeding the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), The mission is expected to start in 2025, that may include troops from the East African nations of Egypt, Djibouti, Uganda, and Kenya.
Overview
In early 2007, the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) was deployed following an Ethiopian invasion aimed at toppling a nascent Islamic government and installing the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The goal of the AU operation was to aid the Ethiopians in propping up TFG and while offering Ethiopian troops an exit strategy as their presence was inflaming a growing insurgency, which the militant group Al-Shabaab was becoming a major part of. 15 years after its deployment AMISOM shifted to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), with the goal of handing over complete security responsibility over to Somali government forces.
The African Union's Peace and Security Council approved the creation of AUSSOM on 1st August, 2024, with plans to start the mission in 2025, after ATMIS’ withdrawal on 31 December, 2024. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has actively sought to rally support from former ATMIS contributors, encouraging them to participate in AUSSOM.
Financial constraints and rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia following Ethiopia's Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland will possibly delay the transition. The international community has been divided on financial support for the missions new structure.
Responses
Egypt has offered to send 10,000 troops to Somalia, 5,000 for AUSSOM and another 5,000 that will work independently in Somalia's Hiiraan region bordering Ethiopia. In response to Ethiopia's attempts to establish a naval base and recognize Somaliland, Somalia has increasingly turned to Egypt. In August 2024, the Somali government announced that in January 2025, the Egyptian military would replace the Ethiopian troops deployed under ATMIS. Egyptian officials stated that they would send weapons including armored vehicles, artillery, radars, and drones to Somalia as part of the defense deal.
Ethiopia expressed interest in joining the new mission despite Somalia's initial rejection due to Ethiopia's Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland. Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Ethiopia, citing increased Al-Shabaab activity linked to its presence. On 11 December 2024, with Turkey's mediation, Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement to ease tensions. During a press conference Somali President Hassan Sheikh praised Ethiopian contributions to AU operations in Somalia and stated "we will keep continue on that". Senior Somali government officials stated to journalists that the government was “ready to reconsider” Ethiopian involvement in AUSSOM following the Ankara dialogue. However, days later, Somalia accused Ethiopian troops of attacks on Somali army, police and intelligence bases which resulted in fatalities. This has left Ethiopia's participation in the mission uncertain. At a UN Security Council meeting on 27 December, the Somali government effectively barred Ethiopian participation by stating that its existing security agreements were sufficient, but the governments National Security Advisor later suggested a decision had still not been reached. Some observers believe Somalia is using AUSSOM as a bargaining chip until Ethiopia explicitly cancels the MoU with Somaliland.
Djibouti has also offered to send peacekeeping troops to AUSSOM,This was welcomed by Somalia.
Uganda’s foreign minister Henry Oryem Okello has opposed Egypt’s troop deployment, saying that they might dominate AUSSOM.After that, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud went to Uganda to speak with Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to persuade Uganda into supporting Egypt’s help in the mission.
Kenya’s president William Ruto met with Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss AUSSOM, that ended with Kenya endorsing the new mission.
Burundi, another former ATMIS contributor, has also seen a visit from the Somali president, that ended with the country’s president Évariste Ndayishimiye welcoming the mission. Burundi later confirmed it would not be taking part in the operation due to a “lack of consensus” between Burundi and Somalia on the number of troops it can deploy for AUSSOM.
The United Kingdom summited a draft resolution to the United Nations, welcoming the AU’s decision to create AUSSOM.
