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The African Union (AU) convened an emergency meeting on Friday to address the future of its peacekeeping mission in Somalia after the United States announced it would withdraw critical funding for the operation. The decision follows Washington’s growing frustration over what it described as limited progress in the fight against the extremist group Al-Shabaab and ongoing political instability in Somalia.
The funding cut threatens the operations of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which relies heavily on United Nations logistical support for food, fuel, medical services and transport for nearly 12,000 peacekeepers. AU officials warned that without alternative financing, the mission’s ability to support Somalia’s fragile government and counter insurgent attacks could be severely weakened.
During the emergency meeting, AU member states discussed possible funding alternatives and strategies to sustain the mission while engaging international partners for additional support. Security analysts have cautioned that any disruption to AUSSOM could create opportunities for Al-Shabaab to regain territory and further destabilise Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region.
