Somali President Calls for African Union Peacekeepers to Leave Somalia

• Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud calls for African Union peacekeepers to leave Somalia after nearly two decades of fighting Al-Shabaab militants.
• The African Union's security presence in Somalia has undergone transitions, with its current mission, the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), continuing the drawdown and the Somali government taking control of 23 former AU forward operating bases since January 2023.
• Turkey has established a significant military presence in Somalia, including a training base and provision of intelligence, training, and air support to the Somali government.

We have reached a point where we can now take full charge of our security. Let's give African peacekeepers a bunch of flowers and send them home.

The African Union's security presence in Somalia has undergone several transitions, with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) being succeeded by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in April 2022, and then by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in January 2025. AUSSOM is now gradually transitioning out of its security role, marking a significant shift towards a more fragmented system of bilateral foreign military partnerships. This transition is not just about the withdrawal of foreign troops but also about the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces. The Somali government has reported that its forces have assumed control of 23 former AU forward operating bases since January 2023. However, the transition has been complicated by disagreements over troop contributions and funding, putting pressure on the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The African Union has been involved in Somalia's security for nearly two decades, with its predecessor mission, AMISOM, being one of its longest-running operations. The mission was established in 2007 and became the principal international ground force fighting Al-Shabaab and supporting Somalia's fragile federal government. Ugandan and Burundian forces played a crucial role in pushing Al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu and helping the Somali government regain control of major towns and strategic areas. However, AMISOM also faced significant challenges, including heavy casualties and repeated targeting by Al-Shabaab.

While the African Union is transitioning out of its security role, Turkey has been steadily increasing its influence over Somalia's security forces. Turkey established Camp TURKSOM in Mogadishu in 2017 and has used it as the centre of a long-running programme to train and equip the Somali armed forces. The country has also provided intelligence, training, and air support to the Somali government. However, this growing influence has raised concerns about the potential for increased fragmentation and competition among foreign powers in Somalia's security landscape.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the implications of this development on foreign military partnerships in Somalia, particularly with Turkey, and potential changes to security responsibilities and liability.

Source: Original reporting via <unknown source>