Nairobi — Senior military leaders serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have convened in Mogadishu for the AUSSOM Force and Sector Commanders Conference, aimed at reviewing operational progress, addressing emerging challenges, and refining plans for mandate implementation in line with the Mission's Concept of Operations (CONOPS).
The high-level meeting brought together Force and Sector Commanders from AUSSOM's five sectors at a critical moment for the mission, which is operating under significant financial constraints while advancing its stabilization and state-building objectives.
In his opening address, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of AUSSOM, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, commended the commanders and their troops for what he described as their "courageous commitment" to supporting Somali-led peace, stability, and state-building efforts.
Amb. Diene outlined AUSSOM's strategic framework, emphasizing proactive civilian protection, joint operations with the Somali Security Forces (SSF), enhanced security-political coordination, and unified strategic communication as the pillars guiding the mission's operations.
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He urged participants to engage in frank and constructive dialogue, calling for practical and concrete recommendations that would strengthen mandate implementation and ensure the mission delivers tangible results for the Somali people.
Despite the operational and financial pressures facing the mission, the SRCC stressed that unity of purpose and adaptability would remain central to AUSSOM's success.
AUSSOM officially replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on January 1, 2025, marking a new phase in international support to Somalia.
The multidimensional peace support operation is endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council and authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) under Resolution 2767.
The mission's initial 12-month mandate focuses on stabilization, security, and state-building, with a clear long-term objective of transferring full security responsibility to Somali forces by December 2029.
Implemented through a phased approach, AUSSOM is designed to be more agile and mobile, enabling intensified Somali-led operations against Al-Shabaab and ISIL/Daesh-linked groups.
AUSSOM's activities are aligned with Somalia's Security Development Plan (SSDP) and the National Security Architecture (NSA), ensuring coherence with the country's long-term security and governance roadmap.
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The UNSC has authorized the deployment of 11,826 uniformed African Union personnel, including 680 police officers, until December 31, 2025, with a planned drawdown of 800 personnel by the end of the year.
