MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somalia has regretfully accepted Burundi’s decision to withdraw from the African Union Security Support Operation in Somalia (AUSSOM) mission in 2025, according to the Somali defense ministry.
Burundi formally communicated its decision to Somalia on December 23. Somalia’s Defense Minister, Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, acknowledged and accepted the withdrawal on December 26.
Sources indicate that Burundi, a low-income African nation heavily reliant on hard currency earned through its participation in the Somalia mission, was dissatisfied with the troop allocations it received under the new AU mission.
This dissatisfaction persists despite AUSSOM facing significant funding constraints.
The United Nations Security Council authorized the establishment of the new African Union mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on Friday.
The mission aims to combat the spread of terrorist groups, including Al-Shabaab, and will play a critical role in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid across Somalia.
The draft resolution for AUSSOM, introduced by the United Kingdom, which serves as the penholder for Somalia at the UN Security Council, was adopted on Friday.
The resolution allows for the deployment of up to 12,626 personnel to support counter-terrorism efforts and stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.
AUSSOM will succeed the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which itself evolved from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) following its initial deployment in 2007.
Somalia is currently deliberating which countries will contribute troops to the new mission.