The African peacekeeping mission in Somalia has issued a critical request for an additional 8,000 troops, coinciding with the anticipated withdrawal of Burundi’s military contingent. This statement emerged from a meeting of military leaders representing troop-contributing countries, highlighting the urgent need for increased support amid ongoing security challenges.
The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is primarily focused on countering the Al-Shabaab Islamist group, which has recently intensified its attacks, raising alarms about a potential jihadist resurgence in the Horn of Africa. Diplomatic sources indicate that Burundi’s decision to withdraw its troops stems from a dispute with the Somali government regarding the adequacy of equipment for its soldiers. This withdrawal would remove approximately one-fifth of the current troop strength from the mission, exacerbating existing security vulnerabilities.
Delegates from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, the African Union, and various multilateral organizations convened in Uganda for a three-day discussion regarding the security situation and the efficacy of AUSSOM. During this meeting, it was noted that the shortage of troops has led to security gaps, allowing Al-Shabaab to regain control over significant areas in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. As a result, both Jowhar and Mogadishu now face imminent threats from the group.
Although the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab had seen a decline in influence in recent years, recent assaults, including an attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in Mogadishu, have stirred concerns about the group’s resurgence. The security representatives underscored the necessity for additional troops to prevent a rollback of the hard-won gains made against the insurgency.
Currently, the mission has 11,146 soldiers, but the potential withdrawal of Burundian forces, which is not expected to be counterbalanced by new troops, raises serious concerns about increasing instability. Tensions have been rising between Somalia and Burundi over troop contributions, with Mogadishu advocating for a smaller contingent of around 1,000 soldiers, significantly less than the 2,000 proposed by Burundi. This disagreement highlights a broader issue, with Burundi viewing Somalia’s proposal as a lack of respect for the sacrifices made by its forces in the peacekeeping efforts.
An AU statement indicated that the UN office in Somalia has been directed to facilitate the repatriation of Burundi’s troops, marking a significant shift in the operational landscape of AUSSOM. Additionally, the envoys tackled pressing financial issues, urging international partners to address a funding deficit of $96 million for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and $60 million to sustain AUSSOM for the next four months.
The unfolding situation calls for immediate international attention and support to bolster the peacekeeping efforts in Somalia and mitigate the growing threats posed by militant groups in the region.
