MOGADISHU, (HAN) – The African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) held high-level talks in Mogadishu focusing on security cooperation and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Deputy Special Representative of the AU in Somalia, Ambassador Moukhtar Osman Kaire, met with an EU delegation led by EU Ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Demichelis, at the AUSSOM headquarters.
The meeting addressed strengthening AU-EU collaboration in peacebuilding and stabilizing Somalia. Ambassador Kaire briefed the EU team on AUSSOM’s financial challenges and their impact on military operations, as well as the overall security situation and counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab and other armed groups.
AUSSOM Force Commander Maj. Gen. Sam Kavuma and Police Commander Hillary Sao Kanu also presented updates on ongoing security operations and the AU’s role in safeguarding key towns and strategic sites.
Discussions included extending the deployment of Burundi troops within AUSSOM and plans to rotate new forces from Egypt to maintain operational effectiveness.
The parties also agreed on reorganizing the roles of military, police, and civilian components to accelerate peacebuilding and community support programs, essential for long-term stability.
Ambassador Kaire thanked the EU for its continuous support to AUSSOM and the Somali Federal Government, highlighting its importance for security and state-building. Ambassador Demichelis reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to providing both financial and technical support to strengthen Somalia’s peace and security efforts.
