The African Union and European Union have expressed concern over the financial and operational difficulties facing the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), warning that these challenges could undermine security gains made in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
The two organisations raised the concerns during a consultative meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where discussions focused on security developments across Africa, with particular attention to Somalia and international support for AUSSOM.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the AU and EU commended the Federal Government of Somalia, AUSSOM personnel and the countries contributing troops to the mission, recognising progress made in operations against Al-Shabaab.
However, they warned that funding shortages and operational constraints could threaten the mission’s ability to sustain those gains, maintain pressure on the militant group and support Somalia’s efforts to gradually assume full responsibility for its national security.
The two organisations also urged the Somali Federal Government to assess the potential consequences of planned reductions in United Nations support for the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), particularly their implications for security operations and the transition of responsibilities to Somali forces.
UNSOS provides logistical and operational support to African Union forces and other authorised security personnel in Somalia.
Any reduction in that assistance could therefore have implications for troop deployments, supplies and the mission’s capacity to sustain operations.
The AU and EU’s warning comes as Somalia continues to face pressure to strengthen its security institutions while AUSSOM confronts financial and logistical challenges.
The mission, which replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in January 2025, is intended to support Somali forces in combating Al-Shabaab and facilitate the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to national institutions.
The concerns highlight the importance of sustained international funding and logistical support during Somalia’s security transition, particularly as the government seeks to maintain pressure on Al-Shabaab while building the capacity of its own forces.