Mogadishu, Somalia – On Monday, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, opened a two-day meeting of AUSSOM’s Force Commanders and Sector Commanders to review operational performance and strengthen support for Somalia’s security transition.
The meeting, held at AUSSOM force headquarters in Mogadishu, brought together senior military and civilian leaders to evaluate progress across the mission’s five sectors, address operational challenges, and coordinate priorities for the next phase in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia.
AUSSOM Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma stated that the review occurs at a crucial time as the mission nears completion of its first year since its January 1, 2025 launch, following the transition from ATMIS. He acknowledged progress in supporting Somali forces but highlighted resource constraints as a significant challenge.
Amb. Diene underscored that AUSSOM’s success requires strong coordination with Somali security forces, unified efforts across sectors, and a focus on Somali-led stabilization. He stressed that joint operations should not only eliminate Al-Shabaab from areas but also maintain control and facilitate governance, reconciliation, and basic service delivery.
With AUSSOM preparing to begin its second year in 2026, the meeting reinforced the AU’s commitment to safeguarding security achievements and supporting the incremental transfer of responsibilities to Somali institutions, consistent with Somalia’s long-term peace and stability objectives.
