KAMPALA/MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reportedly objected to a provision included in the final communiqué of the AUSSOM Troop Contributing Countries Summit in Kampala that called on Somalia’s political leaders to pursue dialogue and reach a broader political consensus.
According to reports from participants familiar with the discussions, the communiqué included language urging the Federal Government of Somalia to engage with opposition groups and work toward an inclusive political agreement as part of wider efforts to strengthen national unity and support the country’s stabilization process.
President Hassan Sheikh reportedly rejected the inclusion of the provision, arguing that Somalia’s internal political affairs should not be addressed within the framework of a summit dedicated to regional security and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
“That issue is not within the mandate of this summit. It is an internal Somali matter,” the president was quoted as saying in response to the proposed language.
The reported disagreement emerged during high-level discussions attended by leaders and representatives of countries contributing troops to AUSSOM, alongside officials from the African Union and other international partners. The summit was convened to assess Somalia’s security situation, review the progress of AUSSOM, and discuss the mission’s operational priorities, force generation, and long-term financing.
The communiqué also addressed continued support for Somalia’s security transition, enhanced cooperation among troop-contributing countries, and the need to sustain military pressure against al-Shabaab while strengthening Somali security institutions.
The reported exchange underscores the sensitivity surrounding Somalia’s ongoing political process, as the Federal Government and opposition stakeholders continue to hold differing views on electoral reforms, constitutional issues, and the country’s broader political roadmap.
Neither the Somali government nor Ugandan authorities immediately issued a detailed public statement addressing the reported disagreement over the communiqué’s political language.
