Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after two decades

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 21:33 · Archive

Uganda has begun withdrawing its military forces from Somalia after nearly twenty years, with all troops to leave by the end of 2027.

Uganda has begun withdrawing its military forces from Somalia after nearly two decades of involvement in the country. The first group of troops deployed under a bilateral arrangement arrived back in Uganda on Friday, according to the country's acting army spokesperson Chris Magezi, with additional contingents to follow in coming days.

All Ugandan forces, including those serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), will exit by the end of 2027 in a phased withdrawal. Around 4,500 Ugandan troops are currently stationed in Somalia as part of AUSSOM, with approximately 2,000 deployed under bilateral agreements.

Uganda first deployed troops to Somalia in 2007 as part of the African Union Mission established to protect the country's transitional government from attacks by Islamist militants, particularly Al-Shabab. The country's army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced last week that Uganda was handing over security responsibilities to Somali forces after "20 years of a lot of blood and sacrifice".

The withdrawal comes after Somalia's President Sheikh Mohamud visited Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala last week to discuss security, trade and economic ties. The Somali president reportedly sought to persuade Uganda to extend its military presence, though the outcome of these discussions was not made public.

According to DW News, the mission has faced mounting pressure following a US decision to end funding for a UN logistics office that the coalition relies on. Washington, the coalition's largest donor, has expressed frustration with a lack of progress against Al-Shabab, which continues to control large parts of central Somalia, and has accused the Somali government of failing to unite the country and implement political reforms.

How it is being reported

• Uganda withdrawing troops from peacekeeping mission in SomaliaIn tonight's edition, Uganda starts drawing down troops just days after the UN ends its political mission in Somalia. Also, upcoming municipal elections in South Africa risk solidifying growing political fragmentation. And the drought gripping Chad could be the country’s worst in more than 40 years.France 24 · 2 Nov, 21:24
• Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia after two decadesUgandan troops first deployed to Somalia in 2007 as part of an international military coalition to battle Islamic insurgents. But the mission has faced mounting pressure since a US decision to withdraw funding.DW News · 2 Nov, 12:19
• Uganda begins withdrawing troops from SomaliaThe country was the first to contribute troops to the AU mission established to stabilise Somalia in 2007.BBC News · 2 Nov, 08:55

In this story: Uganda · Somalia · Yoweri Museveni · Sheikh Mohamud · Muhoozi Kainerugaba · Al-Shabab · African Union

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log