The ministers are meeting ahead of the 2nd Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of troop-contributing countries to AUSSOM, scheduled for today. Kiryowa said while military operations have helped weaken terrorist groups, sustainable peace in Somalia will only be achieved through complementary political, governance and socio-economic interventions.
He said stabilising Somalia requires strengthening state institutions, promoting political reconciliation, deepening cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia and its Federal Member States, enhancing justice and the rule of law, and addressing the underlying causes of instability, including poverty, unemployment and ideological extremism. The minister also called for an inclusive political dialogue among Somali stakeholders, saying the country’s political challenges must be resolved through consensus to reinforce the gains made on the battlefield.
Kiryowa further cautioned against a rushed transfer of security responsibilities from AUSSOM to Somali security forces, warning that a premature transition could create security gaps that terrorist groups could exploit. He stressed that the gradual development of capable, professional and self-reliant Somali security institutions remains the most sustainable path to long-term peace, stability and security.
According to Kiryowa, the success of AUSSOM will depend on timely force generation, effective integration of troops from contributing countries, continuous monitoring and mentoring of Somalia’s security forces, strengthened intelligence-sharing mechanisms, improved surveillance capabilities, adequate logistical support and enhanced air mobility. He also underscored the importance of investing in the capacity of Somalia’s security institutions so they can independently plan, manage and sustain the country’s security, drawing lessons from previous African peace support missions.
Uganda is among the key troop-contributing countries to AUSSOM, the African Union mission supporting Somalia in its fight against the Al-Shabaab insurgency. The outcomes of the defence ministers’ meeting are expected to inform discussions by Heads of State during Thursday’s summit on the future of the mission and regional efforts to secure lasting peace in Somalia-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
