The third iteration of the African Union’s commitment to peace and stability in Somalia – AUSSOM (AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia) is set be become operational in July.
Another step on the road to a prepared and structured mission saw memoranda of understanding (MoUs) negotiations with what the continental bloc called “key” troop and police contributing countries (TPCCs) in June. Represented at the negotiations were (in alphabetical order) Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. These countries will, according to an AU statement, “play a crucial role in the mission’ operational and security and security framework through their personnel and strategic support”.
Discussions saw consensus on a draft MoU outlining the roles, responsibilities and “operational modalities” for contributions of troops and police personnel to the mission. It was further agreed the finalised draft will go to the Office of the Legal Counsel of the AU for clearance after which it will be signed by the continental bloc and the participating TCCs/PCCs.
The MoU negotiations follow an April technical work session and a prior Somalia Operations Co-ordination Committee (SOCC) meeting in February in Addis Ababa, with Chiefs of Defence Forces, Inspectors General of Police, and Ministers of Defence and Security from troop and police contributing countries (T/PCCs) setting out an operational roadmap for AUSSOM.
AUSSOM officially began operations on 1 January 2025, taking over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The mission is Somali-led, with a focus on supporting Somali security forces, degrading terrorist groups like al-Shabaab, stabilizing recovered areas, and preparing Somalia to assume full security responsibility by December 2029.
The authorized strength is up to 12 000 uniformed personnel, including 680 police, with plans to reduce these numbers by the end of 2025. However, AUSSOM is facing a severe funding crisis. For January–June 2025, the mission required $90.4 million, but only $16.7 million was committed, leaving a shortfall of $73.7 million.
The mission’s sustainability depends on a new hybrid funding model, as authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023), which would allow up to 75% of AUSSOM’s annual budget to be covered by UN-assessed contributions starting from 1 July 2025.
Implementation of this model was contingent on a Security Council decision by 15 May 2025, following a report by the UN Secretary-General on preparations for the hybrid funding framework. As of May 2025, the mission had only received limited contributions, and uncertainty around the funding mechanism has hindered further support.
The operational launch of AUSSOM coincided with a surge in al-Shabaab attacks and territorial gains, prompting calls for an additional 8 000 troops at the April 2025 TCC summit in Uganda.
