U.S. Congress, Military Delegation Visits Kismayo

The trip underscores Washington’s growing engagement with Somalia’s federal member states at a time when the country’s political divisions and security transition are drawing increasing international concern.

The delegation is expected to begin in Kismayo before traveling to Garowe and Hargeisa for consultations with regional leaders.

Officials are expected to assess the security situation on the ground, review regional counterterrorism efforts, and discuss the future of international security support ahead of the high-level Kampala summit on the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The visit comes at a critical moment for Somalia’s security architecture.

On July 31, Kampala will host heads of state, defense ministers, military commanders, African Union officials, and international partners to decide the future of AUSSOM, whose long-term sustainability has been thrown into doubt after Washington announced it would end funding for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) after December 2026.

For nearly two decades, UNSOS has provided the logistical backbone for African Union peace operations, supplying food, fuel, water, transportation, medical services, engineering support, and casualty evacuation for approximately 12,000 AUSSOM personnel. Without that support, officials fear the mission could face severe operational challenges unless alternative funding is secured.

The United States has contributed nearly $2 billion toward the UN support package for Somalia’s peace operations over the years.

However, U.S. officials have increasingly expressed frustration over what they view as insufficient progress by Somali authorities in assuming full responsibility for national security and implementing long-promised security sector reforms.

Washington Expands Regional Engagement

The timing of the delegation’s visit suggests Washington is broadening its engagement beyond Mogadishu as uncertainty grows over Somalia’s political and security trajectory.

AFRICOM has previously maintained military-to-military engagement with Puntland and Somaliland, describing them as regional administrations within Somalia while conducting counterterrorism cooperation outside traditional diplomatic channels.

Senior AFRICOM commanders have visited both administrations in recent years to discuss regional security, maritime threats, and intelligence cooperation.

Analysts say the latest visit reflects a practical approach aimed at understanding the capabilities of regional administrations should Somalia’s security transition become more fragmented.

The delegation is also expected to discuss cooperation against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, which continue to operate in different parts of Somalia despite sustained military operations by Somali forces and international partners.

Political Crisis Overshadowing Security Transition

The visit also comes amid a deepening political crisis between the Federal Government and several federal member states over constitutional amendments, electoral arrangements, and the future structure of Somalia’s federal system.

International partners have repeatedly warned that continued political divisions risk undermining security gains achieved over recent years.

Diplomats increasingly argue that military progress against Al-Shabaab cannot be sustained without broader political consensus between Mogadishu and regional administrations.

Several opposition groups have likewise urged international partners to link discussions on AUSSOM’s future with efforts to resolve Somalia’s prolonged constitutional and electoral disputes, arguing that political stability remains essential for long-term security.

Kampala Summit Expected to Shape AUSSOM’s Future

The Kampala summit is expected to focus on three major issues: financing AUSSOM, Somalia’s security transition, and the timeline for transferring full security responsibilities to Somali forces.

African Union officials have repeatedly stressed that Somalia must present a credible, detailed transition roadmap identifying which military bases will be handed over, the readiness of Somali forces, capability gaps, and the external support still required after international troops begin drawing down.

Although Somali authorities have held a series of internal security meetings, international partners are still awaiting a comprehensive transition framework that clearly outlines how Somali security institutions will sustain operations independently.

Meanwhile, several troop-contributing countries are reassessing their long-term commitments.

Uganda has already indicated its intention to eventually conclude its deployment after more than two decades, while uncertainty also surrounds Burundi’s future participation, increasing concerns that a broader withdrawal could leave significant security gaps.

Funding Crisis Raises Uncertainty

The African Union estimates that AUSSOM requires hundreds of millions of dollars annually to sustain its operations. While the European Union has reaffirmed its support, donor governments continue to seek a more predictable financing model that places greater responsibility on Somali institutions.

Since 2007, the United States, the European Union, and other international partners have collectively invested more than $7 billion in Somalia’s security sector. Despite those investments, Somalia remains heavily dependent on foreign military assistance, logistical support, and international funding.

For many donor governments, the central question is no longer whether Somalia should assume responsibility for its own security, but whether Somali institutions are sufficiently prepared to manage that responsibility without creating security vacuums that Al-Shabaab could exploit.

A Defining Moment

The U.S. delegation’s regional consultations are expected to provide Washington with an updated assessment of Somalia’s security landscape before decisions are taken in Kampala.

The visit also highlights a broader shift in international engagement, with partners increasingly consulting regional administrations alongside the Federal Government as they evaluate future security arrangements.

For Somalia, the coming weeks may prove decisive.

Without greater political consensus, stronger coordination between Mogadishu and federal member states, and a credible security transition plan backed by sustainable financing, the country risks entering one of its most uncertain security periods since African Union peace operations first began nearly twenty years ago.