Defence ministers from African Union troop-contributing countries have warned that Somalia’s unresolved political tensions have become a major obstacle to achieving lasting peace, arguing that military operations and increased funding alone cannot solve the country’s security challenges.
KAMPALA, Uganda— Defenses ministers from countries contributing troops to the African Union mission in Somalia have identified Somalia’s unresolved political disputes as a central obstacle to achieving lasting stability, arguing that military operations and increased funding alone cannot end the country’s long-running security crisis.
The ministers, meeting in Kampala on Thursday, were expected to focus primarily on the financial challenges facing the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Instead, discussions highlighted the need for political reconciliation, stronger institutions and dialogue between Somalia’s federal government and member states.
Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, said military solutions could not deliver sustainable peace without addressing Somalia’s political divisions.
“The political question must be answered,” Kiwanuka said, stressing the importance of dialogue and cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States.
His remarks represented one of the clearest acknowledgements by a key troop-contributing country that Somalia’s security challenges are deeply linked to political disagreements rather than only the activities of armed groups.
Funding crisis threatens AU mission
The Kampala meeting was held amid growing uncertainty over the future financing of AUSSOM, which relies heavily on international support for logistics, transport, medical evacuation, fuel and other operational needs.
The United States has notified the African Union that it will end funding for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) after December 2026, creating concerns about the sustainability of the mission.
The funding reduction has already affected operations, with military officials warning that logistical constraints have forced commanders to adjust priorities and could weaken frontline capabilities.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said financial pressures were affecting the mission’s effectiveness and raised concerns about future international support arrangements.
However, ministers argued that while financing remains critical, money alone cannot resolve Somalia’s deeper political challenges.
Politics at the centre of security debate
For years, troop-contributing countries have largely separated Somalia’s political disputes from the military mandate of AU forces. But the Kampala discussions placed reconciliation between Mogadishu and federal member states at the heart of Somalia’s stabilisation efforts.
The debate comes amid heightened political tensions inside Somalia following disagreements over constitutional reforms, elections and the future political roadmap.
The Somali Future Council — a coalition bringing together opposition figures, former leaders and some federal member state presidents — recently urged regional partners to encourage dialogue among Somali political actors.
The group has argued that political consensus is necessary before major security and governance decisions can move forward.
Regional actors have also increased diplomatic efforts. Turkey recently hosted talks between representatives of Somalia’s federal government and opposition figures in an attempt to reduce political tensions.
A turning point for the mission?
The Kampala meeting’s recommendations are expected to be presented to regional heads of state before being forwarded to the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council.
The key question now is whether political reconciliation will become an official priority of the mission’s future strategy or remain a general diplomatic message.
For nearly two decades, AU forces have fought alongside Somali security forces against militant groups, particularly al-Shabaab. But regional officials increasingly argue that battlefield gains cannot translate into lasting peace without a political settlement among Somali stakeholders.
The Kampala discussions reflected a growing assessment among Somalia’s international partners: the country’s biggest challenge is no longer only how many troops are deployed or how operations are funded, but whether Somali political institutions can reach agreement on the future direction of the state.
