BRUSSELS — The European Union and its member states have approved a €75 million contribution to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), reaffirming the bloc as the mission’s largest financial supporter.
The Political and Security Committee of the Council of the EU approved the support under the European Peace Facility (EPF), which will strengthen AUSSOM’s operational readiness and ability to deliver its mandate in full compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. The funding will help maintain security and protect civilians in areas affected by Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups.
The contribution brings the EU’s total support to successive African Union-led missions in Somalia over the past two decades to nearly €2.8 billion, underscoring its long-standing commitment to security efforts in the Horn of Africa since 2007.
EU Support to Cover Troop Allowances and Equipment
The newly approved €75 million will mainly cover troop allowances for personnel deployed in Somalia, as well as non-lethal equipment and related services. The funding forms part of wider EU support for peace and security in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa, which also includes capacity-building support for the Somali National Army to enable the gradual transfer of security responsibilities.
The European Union has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for AUSSOM amid ongoing uncertainty about its financing, with an EU official stating, “We are the longest supporter of AUSSOM, and we are working hand-in-hand with the African Union on the future financing for AUSSOM.” From 2022 to 2024, the EU committed €600 million to African-led efforts, including €340 million for Somalia’s military operations.
AU Commissioner Commends EU Contribution
Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, welcomed the contribution, stating it would strengthen the mission’s operations and reflect continued cooperation between the AU and EU to promote stability, governance, and security in Somalia and the wider region.
“The African Union Commission appreciates this substantial financial contribution to enhance the operations of AUSSOM. This continued collaboration between the AU and the EU illustrates our shared determination to promote peace, security and democratic governance, realizing that the building of effective security and governance architecture is required for the stability of Somalia and the broader region,” Adeoye said.
He also commended troop-contributing countries for what he described as their “immense sacrifices” to restore peace and stability in Somalia.
AUSSOM’s Mandate and Structure
AUSSOM, which is expected to last up to five years, will operate with a reduced force of fewer than 12,000 troops under a new Concept of Operations (CONOPS). Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Head of AUSSOM, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, has reaffirmed the African Union’s unwavering commitment to supporting Somalia-led peacebuilding, stabilization, and political processes. He emphasized that AUSSOM is fully aligned with Somalia’s national priorities.
“The African Union stands firmly with the Somali people in their pursuit of peace, security, and self-reliance,” said Amb. Diene.
Egypt is intensifying military cooperation with Somalia as Cairo prepares to contribute troops to AUSSOM. In high-level meetings held in Cairo, the defense ministers of both nations discussed the deployment framework for the Egyptian contingent, focusing on joint training initiatives, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination against Al-Shabaab and other security threats. Egypt’s expected deployment would mark its first large-scale troop presence in Somalia since the 1970s.
A 16-member delegation from the Egyptian Armed Forces arrived in Mogadishu to begin a reconnaissance mission ahead of Egypt’s planned troop deployment to AUSSOM. The team, led by Major General Islam Radwan, conducted a detailed assessment of strategic locations in Mogadishu, including facilities earmarked for troop accommodation, logistics, and field operations.
Uganda’s Continued Commitment
The Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, arrived in Mogadishu for a high-level visit aimed at strengthening military cooperation and assessing Uganda’s role in AUSSOM. Uganda has been the leading troop-contributing country to the AU mission in Somalia since the deployment of AMISOM forces in 2007, and remains a vital partner in the ongoing security transition.
High-Level Security Meetings in Mogadishu
Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag, participated in a high-level security meeting convened at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Mogadishu, bringing together key representatives from Federal Government institutions, AUSSOM, and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). Discussions centered on accelerating the rollout of the AUSSOM mission and enhancing collaboration between national and international security actors.
Fartaag emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and reaffirmed Somalia’s focus on strengthening its security architecture to address emerging threats.
EU Reaffirms Commitment to African-Led Peace Missions
Javier Niño Pérez, Head of the EU Delegation to the AU, said the funding demonstrates the bloc’s commitment to African-led peace operations, following pledges made at the AU-EU Summit in Luanda in November 2025.
“At the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, we jointly committed to strengthen African-led peace missions and we are delivering. The EU confirms once again being a reliable partner to Africa. We also commend the efforts made by troop-contributing countries. It is crucial to strengthen security for the people of Somalia and for the whole region,” Pérez stated.
He noted that strengthening security in Somalia remains critical for regional stability and reaffirmed the EU’s broader partnership with African institutions aimed at supporting peace and development across the continent.
Dutch Delegation Visit to EU Missions
The Head of Mission of EUCAP Somalia and the Mission Force Commander of EUTM Somalia welcomed a senior delegation from the Kingdom of the Netherlands led by Dutch Ambassador Henk Jan Bakker during an official visit to the International Compound in Mogadishu. The delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the missions’ ongoing programs and activities, followed by discussions on current developments connected to their respective mandates in Somalia.
The meeting followed recent high-level engagements between Somali and Dutch officials, with discussions centered on broadening collaboration in agriculture, water management, food security, and healthcare systems — domains where Dutch expertise provides considerable strategic advantage.
EU-Somalia Security Cooperation
Somalia and the European Union have reached an agreement to boost military collaboration, emphasizing the reinforcement of the Somali National Army (SNA) and maintaining global backing for current security operations. High-level discussions took place between Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee. Both parties pledged to increase EU-supported training initiatives and continue providing logistical and technical support.
Donor Fatigue and Funding Challenges
The European Union and United States have together funneled more than $7 billion into Somalia’s security sector since 2007, primarily through funding African Union-led peacekeeping missions. Yet, nearly two decades later, Somalia remains reliant on international forces, with donor nations increasingly questioning the long-term results of their investment.
“There’s a huge amount of donor fatigue. People are asking: ‘What have we bought for the last 10 years?'” a diplomat told AFP anonymously. The African Union projects a need for about $190 million in 2025 to facilitate the shift from ATMIS to AUSSOM, with short-term needs already surpassing $90 million.
EU Provides $7 Million for Humanitarian and Rights Programs
Beyond security funding, the European Union has committed over $7 million in fresh assistance for Somalia to bolster humanitarian relief and enhance human rights safeguards. EU Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro explained that the funding aims to empower Somali civil society organizations in fostering peace, enhancing livelihoods, and expanding rights protections amid escalating humanitarian challenges triggered by drought.
EU Allocates €102 Million for Fiscal Reforms
Somalia is set to receive €102 million from the European Union under a new cooperation agreement designed to bolster the federal budget, enhance state institutions, and protect vital public services. The agreement directs EU funds directly into Somalia’s budget framework, enabling the government to cover ongoing expenses while advancing reforms in public financial management and economic governance.
Finance Minister Biixi Imaan Cige stated that the funding would help solidify recent progress in revenue collection and financial discipline, while facilitating continued investment in long-term development initiatives.
EU Recognized as Most Valued Partner by AU
The contribution is part of a wider EU strategy to support AU-led peace operations and governance initiatives, aligned with long-term frameworks, including Agenda 2063 and the AU-EU Joint Vision. According to the EU, the partnership with the AU remains central to addressing security challenges in Africa, including conflict prevention, counterterrorism, and the impacts of climate-related instability.
The EU’s longstanding and comprehensive support to the AU’s mandate to promote governance, security, and stability across Africa has been recognized with the Most Valued Partner Award by the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) — an award created exclusively and for the first time by the AU PAPS Department to celebrate this relevant partnership.
EPF Mobilizes €1.2 Billion for African Security
The EU has been one of the largest supporters of AU peace operations, providing funding, equipment, and training through mechanisms such as the European Peace Facility (EPF), established in March 2021. Since the creation of the EPF, the EU has mobilized approximately €1.2 billion to address African military and defense needs, by contributing to African-led peace support operations and providing equipment, supplies, and infrastructure for African partners.
AU-EU Partnership: A One-of-a-Kind Collaboration
The AU-EU partnership stands as a one-of-a-kind, reliable and long-term collaboration in promoting African stability in a multidimensional approach, reaffirmed at the 7th AU-EU Summit held in Luanda in November 2025. The EU’s role as facilitator of AU-led action has been delivered in a manner that no other partner — bilateral or multilateral — has matched to date.
The AU-EU partnership is the only one with a regular dialogue on peace and security, with the last meeting between the EU Political and Security Committee (EU PSC) and the AU Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) taking place in October 2025.
EU’s Active Role in African Peace and Security
The EU is a particularly active partner for peace, security and governance in Africa, being the central supporter of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and African Governance Architecture (AGA). EU collaboration has been instrumental in empowering AU-led Peace Support Operations (PSOs) and reinforcing counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism.
Currently, the majority of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations are deployed in Africa, with approximately 2,000 European military personnel, police officers, and civil servants working alongside their African counterparts.
Commitment to Somalia’s Long-Term Stability
Under the EU’s integrated approach to external conflicts and crises, funding for AUSSOM under the EPF forms part of wider EU support for peace and security in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa. This includes capacity-building support for the Somali National Army to enable the gradual transfer of security responsibilities as Somali forces continue operations against Al-Shabaab and assume greater security responsibilities nationwide.
The EU remains the largest direct contributor to successive missions in Somalia led by the AU, with total support approaching €2.8 billion over nearly two decades. The latest €75 million contribution reaffirms the bloc’s commitment to African-led peace operations, stability in Somalia, and the broader AU-EU partnership aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Africa.
