The African Union Commission has sent an urgent diplomatic communication to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Addis Ababa, outlining key preparations for high-level consultations that will determine the future of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
In the communication, the African Union invited the Federal Government of Somalia to participate in a series of strategic consultations scheduled for July 22–23, 2026, in Addis Ababa, followed by an experts’ meeting on July 24.
The outcomes of these discussions will form the basis for meetings of Chiefs of Defence Forces, Defence Ministers, and an Extraordinary Summit of AUSSOM Troop-Contributing Countries, which are set to take place in Kampala, Uganda, from July 29 to 31.
The African Union Commission urged the Somali government to urgently nominate its delegation for both the Addis Ababa and Kampala meetings to allow sufficient time for administrative, protocol, and security preparations.
The Commission also made it clear that the Federal Government of Somalia will be responsible for covering all expenses related to the participation of its representatives in the consultations.
According to the AU communication, the consultations will focus on strategic options for the future of the African Union’s presence in Somalia.
Discussions are expected to cover operational, political, financial, legal and force-structure issues, as well as mission support and transition planning.
The recommendations emerging from the meetings will be submitted to the African Union’s political decision-making bodies, which are expected to determine the future direction of AUSSOM amid growing uncertainty over the mission’s long-term funding and mandate.