The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked discussions on alternative approaches to financing peace support missions in Somalia during the ongoing meeting of Chiefs of Defence Forces from troop-contributing countries held at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The meeting is setting the stage for the Extraordinary Summit of troop-contributing countries to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia.
The outcomes of the Summit will guide tomorrow’s meeting of Defence Ministers before Heads of State convene on Friday under the theme, “To Sustain the Stabilisation Process in Somalia.”
Gen Muhoozi Muhoozi Kainerugaba convened the first session of Chiefs of Defence Forces from the seven troop-contributing countries to AUSSOM that include Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.
In his opening remarks, General Muhoozi warned that the Horn of Africa continues to face significant security threats and cautioned that failure to address the current challenges confronting the peace support mission could undermine regional stability.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also acknowledged the formal notification by the United States of its intention to withdraw support for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, noting that this comes at a time when the mission is already experiencing a funding shortfall of more than 25%.
He therefore calling on his counterparts to provide clear guidance and strategic direction to overcome the operational challenges facing the peace, security, and stabilisation mission in Somalia.
While speaking at the same Summit, the Head of the African Union’s Peace Support Operations Division, Brig Gene Cheick Dembele, cautioned that a rushed transition and premature withdrawal of peace support forces from Somalia could undermine the gains achieved over the years and trigger wider regional insecurity.
Brig Gen Dembele stressed that sustained African solidarity remains essential in supporting Somalia’s journey towards lasting peace and stability noting that the African Union has remained committed to the mission despite challenges and emphased that efforts to strengthen Somalia’s security institutions require continued collective support.
He further outlined the key pillars of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia and reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to working closely with Somalia, troop-contributing countries and international partners to ensure a conditions-based transition that preserves security gains so far made.
The Summit was also attended by senior officials from the United Nations, among them the Under-Secretary for Peacekeeping Operations, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, and the Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia will participate.
The Africa Union was represented by the Commission Chairperson, the Commissioner for Peace and Security, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of AUSSOM.
