Abuja, Nigeria – African Union Special Representative and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, has participated in a High-Level Lessons Learned Forum held in Abuja, Nigeria, that brought together senior peace and security officials, diplomats, and regional experts to reflect on the evolution of African peacekeeping operations and the readiness of the African Standby Force.
The two-day gathering provided a platform to examine past and ongoing African Union (AU) missions, identifying best practices and critical gaps to strengthen the continent’s capacity for self-reliant peace operations. Amb. Diene drew on Somalia’s experience, emphasizing the unique lessons from AUSSOM’s early phase following its transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
He outlined both the mission’s progress and persistent challenges, noting the delicate balance between supporting Somalia’s security institutions and ensuring a smooth, responsible drawdown of international forces. The discussions also focused on the importance of sustainable funding, coordinated command structures, and stronger partnerships with regional blocs and the United Nations.
The Abuja forum concluded with a series of recommendations to guide future African-led missions—centered on improving strategic planning, enhancing troop readiness, and fostering political solutions alongside military efforts.
For Amb. Diene, the event was not just an exchange of operational lessons but also a reaffirmation of Africa’s determination to shape its own security future—one grounded in shared responsibility, regional cooperation, and the pursuit of lasting peace.