MOGADISHU, Somalia — July 24, 2026 —The African Union (AU) has called on Somalia’s Federal Government to urgently nominate its representatives for a series of high-level meetings in Addis Ababa ahead of an Extraordinary Summit on the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), according to an official diplomatic communication sent to Somalia’s Embassy in Ethiopia.

The request comes as regional leaders prepare for an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government from countries contributing troops to AUSSOM, scheduled to take place in Kampala, Uganda, on July 31. The summit is expected to consider major decisions concerning the mission’s military operations, financing, and future direction.

According to the diplomatic communication, the African Union Commission asked the Federal Government of Somalia to submit the names of its delegates without delay to facilitate preparations for a series of meetings that will precede the Kampala summit.

The Addis Ababa meetings will bring together senior military commanders and defense ministers from AUSSOM troop-contributing countries. Officials are expected to review technical recommendations and policy proposals before forwarding them to heads of state for final approval in Kampala.

The AU also informed Somali authorities that it would cover all expenses associated with the participation of Somalia’s official delegation in the Addis Ababa meetings. The move is intended to ensure Somalia’s full participation in discussions that will shape the next phase of the regional stabilization mission.

According to officials familiar with the preparations, the Kampala summit will formally endorse recommendations developed during the technical and ministerial consultations in Addis Ababa. These recommendations are expected to address operational planning, force generation, financial arrangements, and coordination among participating states.

No official response had been issued by the Federal Government of Somalia regarding the AU communication at the time of publication.

Government Response

Somali authorities had not publicly commented on the diplomatic request by Friday. It also remains unclear which officials will represent Somalia during the military and ministerial meetings in Addis Ababa or at the Extraordinary Summit in Kampala.

The AU has not publicly released additional details about the communication beyond the arrangements conveyed to Somalia’s diplomatic mission.

AUSSOM became the African Union’s latest peace support mission in Somalia following the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The mission continues to support Somali security institutions in counterterrorism operations, stabilization efforts, and the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces.

The mission is composed of military personnel contributed by several African countries working alongside Somali security forces. International partners, including the United Nations and other donor countries, continue to support the mission through financial assistance, logistics, and capacity-building programs.

In recent months, discussions among the African Union, Somalia, troop-contributing countries, and international partners have focused on ensuring sustainable funding for AUSSOM while maintaining operational effectiveness against the Al-Shabaab insurgency.

Questions surrounding long-term financing have remained a central issue as regional and international stakeholders seek predictable funding mechanisms for the mission’s continued deployment.

Military commanders and defense ministers are expected to meet in Addis Ababa before the end of July to finalize recommendations for consideration by regional leaders.

Those recommendations will then be presented during the Extraordinary Summit in Kampala on July 31, where heads of state are expected to make decisions on AUSSOM’s military structure, financing, and future operational priorities.

The outcomes of the summit are likely to influence regional security cooperation and the implementation of Somalia’s ongoing security transition in coordination with the African Union and international partners.

The upcoming summit represents an important stage in determining the future of AUSSOM as Somalia and its regional partners continue efforts to strengthen security institutions and counter armed insurgent groups. Decisions taken in Kampala could shape the mission’s operational priorities for the coming months.

Financing remains one of the most significant challenges facing AUSSOM. Regional governments and international partners have continued discussions on establishing reliable funding to sustain military operations while supporting Somalia’s long-term security objectives.

For Somalia, participation in the Addis Ababa meetings and the Kampala summit provides an opportunity to contribute directly to decisions affecting the country’s security landscape. The discussions are expected to influence cooperation between Somali authorities, troop-contributing countries, and international partners.