Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – On Tuesday, the heads of state from Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Ethiopia gathered in the Ethiopian capital to deliberate on the future financing of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
According to Somalia’s presidency, the high-level meeting centered on ensuring sustained backing for both AUSSOM and the Somali National Army (SNA), as the country continues its campaign against al-Shabab and other international terrorist groups.
The leaders stressed that stable and predictable funding remains essential to consolidating the military and security gains achieved so far, particularly as AUSSOM gradually takes over from the outgoing African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
In his remarks, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud underscored that Somalia’s progress in reclaiming territory from extremist groups must be matched with reliable international and regional support. “Our success against terrorism is a shared victory, and it requires shared responsibility,” he noted.
Kenyan President William Ruto, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed echoed similar sentiments, reaffirming their countries’ commitment to regional cooperation in the face of evolving security challenges.
The leaders agreed that the sustainability of AUSSOM is not only a Somali priority but also a cornerstone for wider peace and development across the Horn of Africa. They called on international partners to honor pledges and provide consistent financial and logistical assistance to prevent security gaps that could be exploited by violent extremist organizations.
Tuesday’s meeting highlights the urgency of mobilizing resources for AUSSOM, which was approved by the African Union earlier this year with a projected strength of nearly 12,000 troops and a five-year mandate.
The Addis Ababa talks are expected to feed into broader diplomatic engagements with the United Nations and international donors to secure long-term commitments for Somalia’s security transition and regional stability.