Wednesday September 2, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — The African Union mission in Somalia will not leave the country abruptly, and any troop drawdown will be based on a planned transfer of security responsibilities to Somali authorities, Somalia’s National Security Adviser, Ambassador Aweys Haji Yusuf, said.
Speaking at an event in Mogadishu on Tuesday, Aweys said Somalia’s security transition plan began in 2022 after a joint assessment by the Somali government and the United Nations of the government’s ability to assume responsibilities handled by international missions and agencies.
Aweys said the UN Security Council approved a plan in 2025 for Somalia to officially assume the responsibilities of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), by Oct. 31, 2026.
“AUSSOM will not leave the country,” Aweys said, adding that the withdrawal of African Union troops will depend on the Somali government’s readiness to take over national security responsibilities.
He said the federal government remains committed to fully assuming responsibility for the country’s security, but the length of the transition will depend on progress in the fight against al-Shabab and the capacity-building of Somali security forces.
“If Somali forces are strengthened and operations against al-Shabab advance, Somalia could assume greater security responsibility sooner than currently planned,” he noted.
However, he said if the security situation worsens, the transition could take longer.
He said the government’s plan is not limited to security alone, but also links security, justice and economic development, which he described as the foundation for long-term stability in Somalia.
“Once Somalia fully assumes responsibilities currently handled by UN special missions, its relationship with the United Nations would resemble the UN’s relationship with other countries, such as Kenya, rather than one based on special missions and representatives,” he added.
He added that the Somali government will continue working closely with UN agencies on human rights and justice, particularly in strengthening Somali institutions responsible for those areas.
