Somalia's National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh-Ali Moalim stated on Wednesday February 26, 2025 that Uganda will contribute 4,500 soldiers, Ethiopia 2,500, Djibouti 1,520, Kenya 1,410, and Egypt 1,091.
Somalia and Ethiopia recently finalized Ethiopia's participation in AUSSOM, resolving a diplomatic impasse that initially led Somalia to resist Ethiopian troop involvement. The disagreement started from Addis Ababa's controversial memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland.
According to Moalim, joint military operations are already underway, with Somali government forces advancing towards the key militant strongholds of Bu'ale and Jilib in southern Somalia. These cities, located in Middle and Lower Jubba regions, are among the last remaining Al-Shabaab-controlled areas.
The announcement underscores the renewed momentum in Somalia's fight against Al-Shabaab, a militant group that continues to pose a major security threat despite years of counterinsurgency efforts.
Somali security forces, in collaboration with AU troops, have been ramping up efforts to degrade the militant group's operational capacity. The government has pledged to enhance the capabilities of its national army, aiming to take full security responsibility once AU forces withdraw eventually.
The participation of Egypt in AUSSOM is particularly noteworthy, as Cairo has historically maintained limited direct military engagement in Somalia.
Egypt's involvement aligns with its broader regional strategy, which includes countering Ethiopia's growing influence and securing allies in the Horn of Africa
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/five-african-nations-to-deploy-for-new-aussom-mission-in-somalia
