Uganda Begins Withdrawing Troops From Somalia After Nearly Two Decades

Uganda announced on Monday that it has started withdrawing its military personnel from Somalia, marking the beginning of the end of a nearly twenty-year deployment aimed at countering Islamist insurgents.

According to an official statement from the Ugandan military, the first cohort of soldiers involved in the phased withdrawal has already returned to Uganda. Uganda originally pioneered the deployment of peacekeepers to Somalia in 2007 under an African Union initiative designed to support the internationally recognized government against Al-Shabab militants.

Phased Withdrawal Timeline and Force Numbers

The Ugandan military reported that it intends to gradually pull out all of its forces from Somalia by the end of 2027. This includes troops currently operating under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

• Current Deployment: Approximately 4,500 Ugandan personnel are stationed in Somalia as part of AUSSOM.
• Bilateral Forces: An additional 2,000 troops are deployed under separate bilateral agreements.
• Initial Departure: Local media reported that an initial contingent of 109 soldiers departed from the capital, Mogadishu.

The stated objective of the drawdown is to enable the Somali Armed Forces to take over full responsibility for national security as Uganda wraps up two decades of stabilization efforts.

Wider Regional Context and Funding Challenges

The announcement coincides with broader shifts in international support for security and political missions in the region. The future of AUSSOM faces uncertainty following a decision by the United States—the coalition's primary donor—to terminate funding for a critical United Nations logistics office supporting the mission.

Washington reportedly expressed frustration regarding the pace of progress against Al-Shabab, which continues to control significant portions of central and southern Somalia. Additionally, the US has raised concerns about political fragmentation within the country.

Concluding UN Missions and Upcoming Elections

Compounding these regional changes, the United Nations concluded its political mission in Somalia, officially closing the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia and handing responsibilities over to local authorities and specialized UN agencies.

Somalia is scheduled to hold national elections in May of next year, though ongoing security threats and political disputes pose considerable challenges to the electoral calendar.

How to Verify

To verify original details regarding regional security transitions, consult official communiques from the African Union, announcements from the Ugandan military, and briefings published by the United Nations regarding its transition of responsibilities in Somalia.