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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| Leaders | Head of AUSSOM Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef |
| Headquarters | Mogadishu |
| Area of operations | Central and southern Somalia |
| Preceded by |  ATMIS |
| Allies |  Somalia |
| Opponents |  Al-Shabaab |
The African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is a peacekeeping group. It started in 2025. The African Union (AU) created AUSSOM to take over from an older mission called ATMIS.
AUSSOM's main goal is to help Somalia become stable and safe. They work with Somali security forces. They also help fight against a group called Al-Shabaab. The mission is slowly giving control of security back to the Somali government.
Creating AUSSOM had some challenges. There were money problems and political disagreements. One big issue was about Ethiopia's role. AUSSOM plans to have 11,900 people. This includes soldiers, police, and other staff. Countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Egypt send people to join the mission.
Contents
About AUSSOM's Work
Past Missions: AMISOM and ATMIS
In March 2007, another mission started in Somalia. It was called the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). This mission helped the Somali government. It also aimed to help Ethiopian troops leave the country. Their presence was causing more conflict. A group called Al-Shabaab grew stronger during this time.
After 15 years, AMISOM changed. It became the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The goal of ATMIS was to give full security control to Somalia.
The African Union's Peace and Security Council approved AUSSOM. This happened on August 1, 2024. AUSSOM began its work in 2025. This was after ATMIS finished its mission on December 31, 2024. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asked countries that helped ATMIS to also join AUSSOM.
Some people in Somalia have not fully trusted AU forces. This is because of past actions by some troops. Al-Shabaab has used this distrust to get more people to join them. They also use it to explain their attacks.
Ethiopia and Somalia Relations
There have been some disagreements between Somalia and Ethiopia. This happened after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland in 2024. These tensions and money issues could have delayed AUSSOM.
On December 27, 2024, the United Nations Security Council approved AUSSOM. The mission officially started on January 1, 2025. It replaced ATMIS. At first, it was not clear if Ethiopia would be part of AUSSOM. This was because of past issues where Ethiopian forces were accused of violating Somalia's borders.
However, Somalia later thought about letting Ethiopia join. On January 2, 2025, Ethiopia's Minister of Defense visited Mogadishu. They talked about the AU mission. Somalia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ali Balcad, said that issues between the two countries were resolved. He mentioned the Ankara Declaration. This meant Somalia was ready to let Ethiopia's army join AUSSOM.
Countries Helping AUSSOM
On February 25, 2025, Somalia and the African Union agreed on troop numbers. They settled past disagreements with Ethiopia and Burundi. AUSSOM will have 11,900 people. This includes soldiers, police, and civilian staff.
Here is how the troops are divided:
- Uganda will send 4,500 troops.
- Ethiopia will send 2,500 troops.
- Djibouti will send 1,520 troops.
- Kenya will send 1,410 troops.
- Egypt will send 1,091 troops.
Countries' Views on AUSSOM
Former ATMIS/AMISOM Members
Ethiopia: Ethiopia wanted to join AUSSOM. Somalia first said no because of Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland. Somalia's government said Ethiopia's presence led to more Al-Shabaab activity. On December 11, 2024, Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement. This happened with help from Turkey. Somali President Hassan Sheikh praised Ethiopia's past help. He said they would continue to work together. Some Somali officials said they would "reconsider" Ethiopia joining AUSSOM. However, days later, Somalia accused Ethiopian troops of attacking Somali bases. This caused more uncertainty about Ethiopia's role.
Djibouti: Djibouti offered to send peacekeeping troops to AUSSOM. Somalia welcomed this offer.
Uganda: Uganda's foreign minister, Henry Oryem Okello, did not want Egypt to send troops. He thought Egypt might try to control AUSSOM. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud then visited Uganda. He spoke with Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He wanted to convince Uganda to support Egypt's help.
Kenya: Kenya's President William Ruto met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. They talked about AUSSOM. Kenya then supported the new mission.
Burundi: Burundi also had a visit from the Somali president. Burundi's President Évariste Ndayishimiye welcomed the mission. However, Burundi later said it would not join. They said there was "lack of consensus" on how many troops they could send. Burundi felt disrespected by the low number of troops Somalia suggested. They thought it would make their forces unsafe.
Other Countries
Egypt: Egypt offered to send 10,000 troops to Somalia. 5,000 would be for AUSSOM. Another 5,000 would work on their own in Somalia's Hiiraan region. Somalia has been working more with Egypt. This is partly because of Ethiopia's actions with Somaliland. In August 2024, Somalia said Egypt's army would replace Ethiopian troops in ATMIS. Egyptian officials said they would send weapons. This included armored vehicles, artillery, and drones.
The United States: The United States is positive about the change from ATMIS to AUSSOM.
The United Kingdom: The UK suggested a plan to the United Nations. They welcomed the AU's decision to create AUSSOM. British UN Representative James Kariuki also welcomed AUSSOM at the UN Security Council.
France: France also welcomed AUSSOM's creation at the United Nations.
