Somalia's journey towards stability has been a long and arduous one, often supported by the significant sacrifices of African Union military missions. For nearly two decades, these missions—AMISOM, ATMIS, and now AUSSOM—have been instrumental in holding back the tide of insurgency and providing a fragile security umbrella. However, as the world increasingly grapples with "donor fatigue" and Somalia's challenges persist, it's becoming starkly clear: the time has come for Somalia to move beyond external dependency and truly rely on its own forces to secure its future.
This piece examines the evolution of the AU's military engagement, highlighting not just their achievements and immense challenges, but critically, how their prolonged presence, despite good intentions, has inadvertently perpetuated a cycle of external reliance that Somalia can no longer afford.
AMISOM: 2007–2022. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was launched in March 2007 with a clear, urgent mandate: stabilize the country, implement a national security plan, and crucially, train Somali security forces to combat insurgent groups, particularly Al-Shabaab. Its early years were defined by fierce urban warfare, culminating in the monumental victory of driving Al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu in 2011, a feat achieved at immense human and material cost. At its peak, AMISOM boasted over 22,000 personnel, reclaiming major cities.
Yet, despite these tactical successes, AMISOM's enduring presence, often due to the Somali forces' limited capacity to hold newly liberated areas, began to entrench a reliance. The mission shifted to a garrison-based strategy, inadvertently creating an expectation that AU troops would fill security vacuums. Moreover, criticisms mounted over human rights abuses, with reports of killings and sexual violence by AU troops, often shielded by legal immunity. This lack of accountability for foreign forces further complicated public trust, implicitly highlighting the urgent need for robust, accountable Somali institutions.
ATMIS: 2022–2024. AMISOM's reconfiguration into the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in April 2022 explicitly aimed to shift the burden. Its mandate was clear: support the Somali Security Forces (SSF) in assuming security responsibilities, degrade Al-Shabaab, and facilitate a phased withdrawal of AU troops by December 31, 2024. This transition was Somalia's opportunity to step up.
ATMIS did support federal governance consolidation and offensive operations. However, the ambitious timeline faced formidable obstacles: persistent funding shortfalls for the AU mission itself, significant logistical challenges, and, critically, the under-readiness of the SSF to fully take over. The phased drawdown was repeatedly delayed, revealing a deep-seated gap in Somali capacity that prevented a clean break from external support. While human rights concerns from ATMIS were on a smaller scale, the continued allegations further underscored the critical need for a truly national, accountable force.
AUSSOM: 2025–Present. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which commenced on January 1, 2025, represents the latest iteration, authorized until December 31, 2029. With a significantly smaller force and a mandate still focused on supporting the SSF, AUSSOM embodies the international community's dwindling appetite for perpetual, large-scale peacekeeping.
The fact that AUSSOM today faces severe funding shortfalls, with the EU reducing contributions and UN funding under Resolution 2719 facing U.S. objections, is a stark wake-up call. The world is tired of pouring money without a clear end in sight. This financial uncertainty, coupled with the mission's smaller size and regional political frictions (such as over Egypt's participation), directly challenges its capacity and operational viability. Human rights issues, including high-profile cases of civilian killings by foreign troops, continue to fuel public distrust and empower Al-Shabaab's narrative that foreign forces are not the solution.
The challenges facing AUSSOM are a direct consequence of Somalia's prolonged reliance on external security providers. Al-Shabaab thrives in rural gaps as AU forces draw down, and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) struggles to maintain pressure. The cycle of instability persists because the fundamental shift to sustainable, Somali-led security has not fully materialized.
As researcher Jethro Norman notes, public perception views AUSSOM not as a reform, but as a continuation of previous missions, primarily due to persistent impunity for foreign forces and limited Somali influence over mission design. This undermines the very legitimacy of the mission in the eyes of the populace and provides fertile ground for Al-Shabaab's nationalist propaganda.
Amani Africa's Solomon Dersso rightly emphasizes that the AU's 17-year intervention, while stabilizing urban centers, has failed to address Somalia's deeper political fragmentation. This points to a crucial truth: external military solutions, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot be a substitute for a robust, legitimate, and Somali-owned political settlement and security architecture.
The mixed legacy of AMISOM, ATMIS, and now AUSSOM significant security gains overshadowed by human rights violations, accountability gaps, and an overreliance on foreign forces—underscores a singular truth: Somalia's perpetual challenges demand Somali solutions.
The nation can no longer afford to wait for other countries to "bring solution to your problem." The success of AUSSOM, and ultimately Somalia's journey to lasting peace, hinges not just on securing sustainable funding or enhancing SSF capacity, but fundamentally on rebuilding public trust through a genuinely Somali-led security sector.
This means a relentless focus on. Accelerating Security Sector Reform. Building a professional, accountable, well-equipped, and nationally unified Somali National Army (SNA) and police force. National Consensus. The Somali leadership must demonstrate unwavering commitment to reform and foster national consensus on security priorities, ensuring that the security forces truly serve the people and the nation, not narrow interests. Investing in Capacity. Prioritizing training, equipping, and paying forces consistently, ensuring they can effectively hold and secure liberated areas. Establishing Accountability Mechanisms. Ensuring that any security personnel involved in misconduct are held to account under Somali law, fostering public trust and demonstrating that justice is for all.
It is time for Somalia to take full ownership of its security destiny. The resources, the will, and the future of the nation depend on its ability to move beyond external dependency and forge a security sector that truly reflects and protects the interests of all Somalis.
Notes
The New Humanitarian, "African Union peacekeepers in Somalia accused of widespread abuse,"https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2025/03/12/african-union-peacekeepers-somalia-accused-widespread-abuse
Wikipedia, "African Union Mission to Somalia," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Union_Mission_to_Somalia
Wikipedia, "African Union Transition Mission in Somalia," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Union_Transition_Mission_in_Somalia
BBC News, "Somalia conflict: Deadly AMISOM raid on wedding," https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38364200
AMISOM, "Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA)," https://amisom-au.org/status-of-mission-agreement-soma/