KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to sustaining peace and stability in Somalia, saying the continent has the capacity and responsibility to address its security challenges regardless of changing levels of international support.
President Museveni made the remarks on Friday while hosting the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The three-day summit, held under the theme “To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia,” brought together leaders from troop-contributing countries, senior officials from the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to assess Somalia’s security situation and strengthen collective efforts towards stabilisation.
The meeting was attended by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Burundi Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, Djibouti’s Minister of Interior and Acting Minister of Defence Omar Abdi Said, Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Badr Abdel Atty, Ethiopia’s Special Envoy Lt Gen Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, and Kenya’s Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
Also present were African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Amb. Bankole Adeoye, IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, Acting Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Qurat-Ul-Ain Sadozai, and officials from the UN Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS).
The summit followed meetings of defence chiefs on July 29 and defence ministers on July 30, where participants reviewed Somalia’s political and security situation, the readiness of Somali security forces, troop integration, AUSSOM deployment, air capabilities, and operational requirements.
Addressing the summit, President Museveni said Uganda’s decision to deploy troops to Somalia was based on strategic interests and a commitment to oppose violent extremism, rather than geographical considerations.
“Uganda doesn’t have a border with Somalia. Therefore, we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia out of principle and strategy,” President Museveni said.
He said Uganda and other African countries had a responsibility to resist extremist groups seeking to impose their ideology through violence.
“We did not accept the extremist groups who come here and waste our time, saying they want to impose themselves on society. We had similar problems in Khartoum, Sudan,” he said.
President Museveni also emphasised the importance of respecting Africa’s diversity, saying communities should coexist without attempting to impose their identities on others.
“We Africans of this region have a very rich history. We are different, but we don’t try to impose our identity on others. Whatever you are, you don’t impose yourself on me, nor do I impose myself on you,” he said.
On concerns over reduced international support for Somalia’s security efforts, President Museveni urged African countries to remain focused on developing solutions to continental challenges.
“If those Western countries want to pull out, that is their decision. Somalia is not going to be abandoned because of some people outside. We have the capacity. Whether others pull out or not, we shall manage,” he said.
The President cited Uganda’s own liberation history as an example of African solidarity, recalling the support received from countries such as Tanzania and Mozambique during the struggle to remove former President Idi Amin.
“When we got rid of Idi Amin, it was Tanzania and Mozambique that stood with us. Africans have always supported one another,” he said.
During a closed-door session, leaders received reports from defence chiefs and ministers on the progress of AUSSOM, including the preparedness of Somali forces, troop generation and integration, deployment status, and operational capacity.
In their final communiqué, the leaders commended troop-contributing countries for their sacrifice in supporting Somalia’s fight against terrorism and rebuilding efforts.
They paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives and those injured while serving under AUSSOM.
The Heads of State called for the preservation of Somalia’s unity, strengthening of state institutions, promotion of democratic governance, and politics based on shared national interests rather than identity.
To secure continued operations of AUSSOM, the summit directed foreign ministers from troop-contributing countries, together with the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union Commission, to establish a joint task force to lead diplomatic efforts for predictable and sustainable financing.
The task force will also work towards organising a donors’ conference to mobilise financial and political support for the mission during the transition period.
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to Somalia’s stabilisation, saying progress achieved over the years must be protected through stronger coordination, political commitment, and reliable financing.
He noted that peace and stability in Somalia remain critical to the security of the Horn of Africa and the wider continent.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked President Museveni for convening the summit and praised Uganda’s long-standing contribution to Somalia’s security.
“We appreciate your leadership and convening this second meeting of its kind. Your leadership is highly commended, and we seek your continued support, especially in mobilising the financial resources required for this mission,” President Mohamud said.
He added that Uganda remains one of Somalia’s strongest partners in its recovery journey. “Uganda has stood as one of Somalia’s strongest pillars. Its leadership and support are not taken for granted. You command our deepest appreciation,” he said.
The Kampala summit reaffirmed African leaders’ commitment to sustaining Somalia’s stabilisation process through regional cooperation, stronger Somali security institutions, and renewed efforts to secure long-term financing for AUSSOM.