COMMUNIQUE

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1330^th meeting held, at Ministerial level, on 12 February 2026 on Consideration of the Situation in Somalia and Operations of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The Peace and Security Council

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Somalia and on the Operations of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), particularly Communiqués [PSC/MIN/COMM.1324 (2026)] adopted by the 1324^th meeting held on 6 January 2026; [PSC/PR/COMM.1317 (2025)] adopted by the 1317^th meeting held on 15 December 2025; [PSC/MIN/COMM.1287 (2025)]  adopted by the 1287^th meeting held at Ministerial level on 3 July 2025; [PSC/PR/COMM.1276 (2025)] adopted at its 1276^th meeting held on 29 April 2025 and [PSC/MIN/COMM.1253 (2024)] adopted at its 1253rd meeting, held on 19 December 2024; as well as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2767 (2025) adopted on 3 March 2025, which endorsed the PSC decision to replace the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with  the AUSSOM with effect from 1 January 2025; 

 

Reaffirming the AU solidarity with the people and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in their aspirations for durable peace, security, stability, and prosperity; and also reaffirming the AU respect for the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia;

Reiterating the unwavering commitment of the AU to continue supporting Somalia until Al-Shabaab is completely eliminated and durable peace, security and stability are fully restored in Somalia; as well as the commitment of the AU to help preserve the gains achieved thus far and not to abandon Somalia;

Taking note of the Opening Statement by H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt as PSC Chairperson for February 2026 and the Introductory Statement by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the AU Commission;

Also taking note of the statement by H.E.Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Federal Republic of Somalia; as well as statements by the representatives of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs); Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); League of Arab States and the United Nations; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

 1. Commends  the efforts being deployed by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to accelerate the realisation of critical national priorities and emphasizes the need for  the FGS, the Federal Member States, including Jubaland and Puntland which have distanced themselves from Mogadishu-led initiatives, as well as to establish regular and structured dialogue with FMS, opposition parties, and other key stakeholders, in order to build consensus on national priorities, including  advancing a Somali-led and Somali-owned state-building process; and to further engage in an inclusive dialogue, foster mutual trust, cooperation and cohesion at federal and regional levels and to preserve the territorial integrity of Somalia noting that divisions in the governance of the country complicate the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists and prolong the efforts aimed at stabilisation and state-building;

 2. Welcomes the historic milestone of holding the first national municipal elections in Somalia in December 2025;

3. Also welcomes the recent successes against Al-Shabab and encourages the Somali Security Forces, with the support of AUSSOM and other key security partners, to sustain these operations in order to more effectively degrade and ultimately defeat Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups;

4. Pays tribute to the AUSSOM Troop/Police Contributing Countries(T/PCCs), and Somali Security Forces for their enduring commitment and sacrifices; pays particular tribute to the men and women of AUSSOM for their commitment to duty; expresses condolences  to the families of  the AUSSOM personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and stability in Somalia and wishes speedy recovery to all those who are nursing injuries from Al Shabaab attacks;

 5. Underscores the need for rapid force generation, regeneration and integration including the recruitment of Community/ Local Defence Forces (LDFs), and mobile forces, to hold areas, and undertake operations as part of the clear, hold and build strategy, as a critical step in informing the exit strategy;

6. Underlines the importance of state building and countering violent extremism in Somalia and appreciates the ongoing federal initiatives of addressing intercommunal conflicts;

7. Rejects all forms of external interference aiming at dividing Somalia and condemns any

action by whomsoever, which undermines the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia;

8. Reiterates its strong condemnation and rejection of the unilateral recognition of the "so-called Republic of Somaliland" by Israel in the strongest terms possible, and calls for its immediate revocation;

9. Welcomes the statement by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, issued on 26 December 2025, rejecting any initiative or action aimed at recognizing the northern region of Somalia (Somaliland) as an independent entity, which runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union and the UN and risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent, as well as undermines the progress towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa as envisioned in Agenda 2063;

10. Stresses that no actor has the authority or standing to alter the territorial configuration of an AU Member State, and that any such declaration is null, void, and without legal effect under international law;

11. Reiterates that any attempt to alter borders by force, or illegal means to undermine the unity and territorial integrity of an AU Member State, contravenes the Constitutive Act and sets a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace, security, and stability across the continent;

12. Notes that such actions threaten peace and stability in the continent, in particular the Horn of Africa, hinder joint security initiatives, and establishes an unfavourable precedent inconsistent with established principles;

13. Calls upon all Member States and international partners to reaffirm Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, reject all illegal acts undermining international principles, and stand in solidarity to uphold African unity, international legality, and regional stability; calls upon all AU Member States to support efforts by the relevant UN bodies to uphold the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and any collective action at the UN General Assembly in this regard;

14. Commends the countries that have deployed additional troops in Somalia on a bilateral arrangement basis, and as a short-term measure to address the prevailing security situation, particularly the Republic of Uganda and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, for their continued commitment and sacrifices in addressing the prevailing security situation in Somalia;

15. Welcomes the readiness of Egypt to deploy its contingents and urges the United Nations in coordination with the AU to expedite the process so as to prevent the creation of any security vacuum and to facilitate the repatriation of Burundi troops, coinciding with the deployment of Egypt’s contingents, as well as the repatriation of the Ghana Formed Police Unit;

16. Underscores the importance of intensification of resource mobilization with a view to securing sustainable, predictable, flexible and multi-year financing for AUSSOM, and in this regard, requests the AU Commission to continue its engagements with the UN Security Council on the application of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023) on AUSSOM; and urge the UN Security Council to honour its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security; and in the same context,  appeals to the AU partners to support the ongoing efforts and to consider contributing directly to the financing of AUSSOM;

17. Expresses deep appreciation to regional, bilateral, and multilateral organizations, including donor countries, for their invaluable contribution to peace and stability in Somalia; appeals for continued support for the ongoing efforts to secure adequate, predictable, sustainable and flexible multi-year financing for AUSSOM and encourages them to continue supporting the implementation of the Somalia Development Plan;

18. Directs the Commission, in consultation with FGS, to convene a meeting of the AUSSOM TCCs/PCCs at the level of Chiefs of Defence Forces, to discuss the three options on the future of AUSSOM in line with the 1317^th meeting of December 2025, including the implications on the sustainability of the Mission and its operations and to submit the report of the meeting with recommendations for Council’s consideration; and

 19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS