Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday chaired the Funding Conference for the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The high-level meeting focused on securing financial commitments to sustain security operations and support Somalia’s path toward stability and independence.
The conference was co-organized by the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union. It brought together international partners and donor states who have long been key financiers of Somalia’s security sector. Attendees included representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and other bilateral and multilateral donors.
The meeting was held in Mogadishu, at a time when Somalia is navigating a delicate transition from African Union-led security operations toward self-reliance through the Somali National Army and national security institutions.
The conference took place on September 27, 2025, just months before Somalia is scheduled to undergo significant security handovers as part of its transition plan.
President Mohamud emphasized that sustained financial backing is essential to consolidate security gains, strengthen Somali security forces, and prevent a relapse into instability. He argued that predictable and reliable funding for AUSSOM would ensure continuity in the fight against Al-Shabaab and bolster Somalia’s sovereignty.
During the meeting, the Federal Government and its international partners presented financial frameworks designed to bridge budgetary gaps in AUSSOM’s operations. Donors stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of funds, while Somali officials highlighted their roadmap to gradually assume full security responsibilities.
AUSSOM was launched in 2024 as the successor to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Its mandate is to provide targeted support to Somali forces rather than broad-based stabilization operations. Unlike ATMIS, AUSSOM is intended to be leaner, more cost-efficient, and primarily focused on capacity-building, with Somali forces taking the lead in combat operations. However, persistent funding challenges and donor fatigue have raised concerns about the mission’s long-term sustainability.
The Mogadishu conference underscored the delicate balance Somalia faces: ensuring national security while reducing reliance on foreign troops. While President Mohamud’s appeal for reliable funding received strong expressions of support, whether those pledges will translate into long-term commitments remains uncertain. For Somalia, predictable financial support for AUSSOM is not just a question of security—it is a critical step toward sovereignty, stability, and the eventual departure of international forces.
