A senior Somali police official has expressed concerns about the potential security implications of Uganda's withdrawal of troops from Somalia. Brig. Gen. Abdalla Abdalla Mohamed, deputy commissioner of the Somali Police Force, warned that the withdrawal could create a security vacuum around Mogadishu. He stated that Somali security forces are not adequately prepared to take over security responsibilities held by Ugandan troops for nearly two decades.
Uganda began pulling out its forces from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement in the country. The first contingent of troops deployed under a bilateral agreement with Somalia had returned home, with the remaining personnel expected to follow. Ugandan military officials confirmed the withdrawal, which was announced by the country's acting military spokesperson, Col. Chris Magezi.
The withdrawal of Ugandan troops has raised concerns about security in areas surrounding Mogadishu, particularly in Lower Shabelle, where Ugandan troops have maintained positions along strategic routes used by Somali and African Union forces. African Union peacekeepers are preparing to assume responsibility for several positions as Uganda withdraws its bilateral contingent. However, it remains unclear which forces will take responsibility for all positions vacated by Ugandan troops.
The African Union has repeatedly emphasized the need for carefully coordinated troop transitions to prevent security gaps that al-Shabab could exploit. In February, the African Union Peace and Security Council called for troop movements to be managed in a manner that would prevent the creation of a security vacuum. The withdrawal also comes amid uncertainty over funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Under the original AUSSOM transition plan endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, the mission was expected to continue operations through 2027 before beginning a broader drawdown in 2028. Uganda's decision to withdraw its troops by the end of 2027 would therefore remove one of the mission's most experienced military contingents ahead of the originally planned transition.
The planned withdrawal has raised concerns about security in Somalia, where government forces continue military operations against al-Shabab in southern and central Somalia while preparing to assume greater responsibility for national security. The federal government has not publicly responded to Abdalla's assessment that Somali security forces are inadequately prepared to fill the gap left by Uganda's departure.
Uganda became the first African country to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2007 and has remained one of the largest contributors to successive African Union missions. The withdrawal of Ugandan troops marks the conclusion of nearly two decades of military involvement in Somalia, with the country's military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, describing it as the handing over of security to Somali brothers.
Key points
- The withdrawal of Ugandan troops from Somalia could create a security vacuum around Mogadishu, warns Somali police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Abdalla Abdalla Mohamed.
- The African Union has emphasized the need for carefully coordinated troop transitions to prevent security gaps that al-Shabab could exploit.
- Uganda's withdrawal of troops marks the conclusion of nearly two decades of military involvement in Somalia.
