Uganda Begins Withdrawal Of Troops From Somalia After Nearly 20 Years

Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia after nearly 20 years of supporting efforts to fight Al-Shabaab militants. The country plans to remove all its estimated 6,500 soldiers by the end of 2027, amid uncertainty over funding for the African Union mission and concerns about the progress of the security campaign. The withdrawal will place greater responsibility on Somali forces to protect the country as Al-Shabaab continues to control significant areas.

Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia, marking the start of a phased military exit after nearly two decades of involvement in efforts to combat Islamist militants and support the Somali government.
The Ugandan military announced on Monday that the first group of returning soldiers had arrived home. The withdrawal is expected to continue gradually, with Uganda planning to remove all its forces from Somalia by the end of 2027.
Uganda has played a major role in Somalia's security operations since 2007, when it became the first country to deploy troops under an African Union peacekeeping mission established to help the Somali government fight the Al-Shabaab militant group.
The decision comes at a difficult time for Somalia, where Al-Shabaab continues to control significant territory despite years of military operations by Somali and international forces.

FIRST UGANDAN SOLDIERS RETURN HOME

The Ugandan military confirmed that the first contingent of soldiers had returned under the phased withdrawal arrangement.
Local media reported that an initial group of 109 soldiers left Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, on Friday.
Approximately 4,500 Ugandan soldiers are deployed in Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Another 2,000 troops are stationed in the country under separate bilateral agreements between Uganda and Somalia.
Uganda intends to withdraw all these forces by the end of 2027.
The Ugandan army described the withdrawal as the conclusion of its long-running peace and stabilisation operations in Somalia. It said the move would allow Somali security forces to take full responsibility for protecting their country.
However, transferring security responsibilities will require Somali forces to demonstrate that they can defend major towns, protect civilians and prevent militants from regaining territory.

UGANDA'S ROLE IN SOMALIA'S FIGHT AGAINST AL-SHABAAB

Uganda was the first country to contribute troops to the African Union mission in Somalia in 2007.
Its forces helped support the internationally recognised Somali government during years of fighting against Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant organisation that has carried out bombings, assassinations and attacks on military and civilian targets.
Ugandan soldiers played an important role in operations that pushed the militants out of Mogadishu and several other major towns.
However, Al-Shabaab has remained active and has regained control of significant areas in central and southern Somalia in recent years.
The group continues to threaten government institutions, security forces and civilian communities, demonstrating the difficulty of achieving lasting stability through military operations alone.

FUNDING UNCERTAINTY AFFECTS AFRICAN UNION MISSION

Uganda's announcement comes amid uncertainty over the future of AUSSOM, which depends on international support to sustain its operations.
The United States, described as the coalition's largest donor, has expressed frustration over what it considers insufficient progress against Al-Shabaab. Washington has also criticised the Somali government over political divisions and delays in implementing reforms.
A recent US decision to end funding for a United Nations logistics office used by the military coalition has raised further concerns about the mission's ability to continue operating effectively.
The loss of logistical support could affect essential activities such as transporting troops and equipment, supplying military bases and sustaining operations in remote areas.
These funding challenges could make it more difficult for the African Union mission to maintain its current level of operations as Uganda prepares to withdraw.

UN POLITICAL MISSION ALSO ENDS IN SOMALIA

Uganda's withdrawal announcement coincides with the closure of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia.
The UN political mission ended on Saturday after more than three decades of international peacebuilding and political support in the country.
Its responsibilities are being transferred to the Somali government and various UN agencies, which will continue providing assistance in areas such as governance, development and humanitarian support.
The end of the mission represents another change in the international support structure that has helped Somalia manage its political and security challenges.
However, the country continues to face serious difficulties, including militant attacks, political disagreements and disputes over the distribution of power between federal and regional authorities.

ELECTION PLANS FACE SECURITY AND POLITICAL CHALLENGES

Somalia is scheduled to hold elections in May next year, but insecurity and disagreements between the government and opposition groups threaten to complicate the process.
Al-Shabaab's continued presence in large parts of the country raises concerns about whether voting can take place safely in all intended areas.
Political disputes could also delay preparations and weaken cooperation between different levels of government.
The withdrawal of Ugandan troops adds another important issue to the country's preparations, as Somali forces may have to assume greater responsibility while the insurgency remains active.

SOMALIA FACES A MAJOR SECURITY TRANSITION

Uganda's planned exit by the end of 2027 will bring an end to one of the longest-running foreign military deployments supporting Somalia's security.
The transition will place greater responsibility on the Somali Armed Forces to protect the country and prevent Al-Shabaab from expanding its influence.
For Somalia, the challenge will be to strengthen its military capabilities while maintaining international cooperation and addressing political divisions.
The success of the withdrawal will depend largely on whether Somali forces can fill the security gaps left by departing troops and sustain pressure against Al-Shabaab. Without sufficient funding, equipment and coordination, the transition could create opportunities for the militants to regain ground.