Uganda troop reinforcements in Somalia have become a pressing priority as the security situation worsens, especially in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth issued a strong call for increased deployments during a high-level meeting of Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) in Kampala. The meeting aimed to develop immediate and strategic responses to the resurgence of Al-Shabaab militants, who recently overran several Forward Operating Bases.
Oboth emphasized that Uganda’s earlier gains risk unraveling without swift reinforcements. He stated clearly that the fragility of the region demands decisive action. To strengthen coordination among TCCs, he proposed a TCC-Somalia Peer-Review Mechanism under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, with support from the African Union Commission.
Moreover, Oboth stressed the necessity for additional funding from the AU Peace Fund and continued support from key international players such as the UN, EU, UK, and the US. These partnerships are vital to ensuring that African-led missions do not falter due to a lack of predictable financing.
Reinforcing this call, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, reiterated the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2719. The AU is requesting $190 million to sustain peacekeeping in 2025—modest compared to the $7 billion that piracy cost the global economy annually.
Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, commended Uganda and other TCCs for their enduring sacrifice. He called for the urgent mobilization of quick reaction forces and the launch of a multi-sector offensive to regain control from Al-Shabaab. According to him, peace in Somalia is a prerequisite for the stability of the entire Horn of Africa.
Ministers from Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Kenya pledged continued support. Egypt announced its upgraded strategic partnership with Somalia, while Kenya highlighted challenges with the ongoing transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM, citing donor fatigue and the urgent need for sustainable funding.
The Kampala meeting concluded with consensus: the time to act is now. TCCs agreed on the need for rapid reinforcements, increased coordination, and sustainable financing. Without these measures, the fragile peace in Somalia—and by extension, the stability of the Horn—could collapse.
A decisive response, robust funding, and unified regional effort are essential to turning the tide in Somalia’s favor.