Uganda withdraws its troops from Somalia as fight against rebels persists
Kampala announced on Monday it had begun pulling its troops out of Somalia. Uganda was the first country to send deployments to help Mogadishu when the African Union set up an international military mission in 2007 to battle al-Shabab extremist rebels. But what is prompting Kampala to withdraw its troops now, as the battle against the militants continues? FRANCE 24’s Georga Calvin Smith is joined…
Uganda has announced the withdrawal of its peacekeeping troops from Somalia, military officials confirmed on Monday. The decision follows the completion of a bilateral agreement between the two nations, according to military spokesman Col. Chris Magezi. The first wave of Ugandan soldiers have already returned home, with the remaining forces expected to depart the country by the end of 2027.
Ugandan troops have been stationed in Somalia since 2007 as part of the African Union mission known as the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The departure coincides with the end of the United Nations' political mission in Somalia and as Somali authorities seek to assume greater control over internal security.
Since their deployment, Ugandan peacekeepers have suffered casualties, although the exact number remains undisclosed. The withdrawal also comes as the UN's political mission in Somalia comes to an end, and al-Shabab continues its insurgency in the Horn of Africa nation. While UN aid agencies will continue to operate in Somalia, the country's African Union troops and Somali security units will also see a reduction in support.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Uganda withdraws peacekeeping troops from Somalia ghanaiantimes.com.gh
- Peacekeepers plan to take over bases near Somalia’s capital as Ugandan troops withdraw winnipegfreepress.com
