Peacekeepers to take over bases as Ugandan troops withdraw

The African Union mission has outlined plans to replace Ugandan troops at four bases near Somalia's capital, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. The move aims to prevent al-Shabab militants from exploiting a security vacuum.

Uganda announced the start of its withdrawal, with some troops already returning home. The military stated that forces under a bilateral agreement with Somalia will leave within days, with remaining troops, including those in the African Union mission, to gradually depart by the end of 2027.

The withdrawal follows an April 2025 summit where African leaders urged for more peacekeepers to combat al-Shabab. Ugandan troops had helped recapture and hold territory for 17 months after the deployment. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia plans to take over four key positions in November.

Somali army commander Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud visited troops in Barawe, instructing them to remain on high alert and intensify operations against al-Shabab. It is unclear whether Somali soldiers will take over the AU bases. Barawe was captured from al-Shabab in 2014, and the militants had used its port for smuggling and financing operations.

Farhan Isak Yusuf, a Somali policy researcher, noted the Somali army faces resource shortages and a challenging security environment. Lower Shabelle, where Ugandan troops are now leaving, is critical to protecting Mogadishu. The withdrawal comes after the United Nations' political mission in Somalia closed, ending over three decades of UN involvement.

Despite the closure of the political mission, UN aid agencies and a separate support office continue to provide supplies and transport to African Union peacekeepers and some Somali security forces. Somali authorities have framed the closure as progress toward self-governance, though tensions remain over the president's term and ongoing militant attacks.