African ministers endorse AUSSOM mandate extension amid funding gaps

Defense ministers from several African nations, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, and Somalia, met in Kampala to address the uncertain future of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The summit follows a notification from the United States that it will not support extending the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) beyond December 31, 2026. While the U.S. does not oppose renewing AUSSOM's mandate, it will refuse to back resolutions preserving the logistical support—such as fuel, rations, and transport—essential for peacekeeping operations.

In response, ministers endorsed a joint communiqué calling for a 18-to-24-month extension of the AUSSOM mandate to prevent a security vacuum. However, analysts note the summit failed to secure actual funding or binding pledges. Amani Africa observed that while a Joint Task Force was tasked with diplomatic outreach, the mission faces severe financing gaps, as a previous high-level financing event in September 2025 raised only approximately $44 million.