COMMUNIQUE?

 Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1317^th meeting held on 15 December 2025, on Consideration of the Situation in Somalia and Operations of the African Union 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 AUSSOM, particularly Communiqué [PSC/MIN/COMM.1287 (2025)] adopted at its 1287^th meeting held on 3 July 2025; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM. 1276 (2025)] adopted at its 1276th meeting held on 29 April 2025;

Also recalling the UN Security Council Resolutions 2767 (2024), which endorsed the PSC Decision to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with AUSSOM with effect from 1 January 2025; further recalling the recommendation of the High-Level Financing Event for the AUSSOM which took place on the margins of the 80^th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York on 25 September 2025;

Reiterating the AU respect for the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia; and 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  expressing the AU’s commitment to continue supporting Somalia and its people towards achieving lasting peace in the country;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Ennio Maes, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire to the AU and PSC Chairperson for December 2025; and the Introductory Statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security;

Also taking note of the briefing by H.E. Ambassador EL Hadji Ibrahim Diene, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and Head of AUSSOM; as well as the statements by H.E. Ambassador Abdullahi Warfa, Permanent Representative of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to the AU; by the Representative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and by H.E. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the AU and Head of UNOAU; and

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

1. Welcomes the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the Situation in Somalia and the Operations of the AUSSOM; and acknowledges the positive political developments in Somalia and the economic achievements made during the period under consideration;

2. Commends the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) aimed at accelerating the realization of critical national priorities, including the visit to Kismayo by H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the FGS, on 5 October 2025, which demonstrates continued commitment to stakeholder engagement, mutual confidence and trust-building, as well as reconciliation with the Federal Member States of Jubaland, Puntland;

3. Underscores the need for the FGS, the Federal Member States, including Jubaland and Puntland which have distanced themselves from Mogadishu-led initiatives, as well as key political actors, to commit and remain open for inclusive political dialogue aimed at achieving a credible and broad-based consensus which is crucial in advancing Somalia’s state building process, and preparations for elections;

4. Commends Somalia’s reaffirmed commitment and progress made towards one-person-one-vote elections scheduled to be held in December 2026; and encourages continued inclusive political engagements in the country;

5. Underlines the importance for state-building and countering violent extremism and appreciates the ongoing initiatives of addressing inter-communal conflicts;

6. Welcomes the recent milestones  registered in the fight against Al-Shabab and encourages the Somali Security Forces, with support of key security partners, to consolidate these milestones, including by ensuring effective presence of the State and provision of basic public services in all areas liberated from Al Shabaab,  as well as quick impact and peace strengthening projects,  in order to defeat the Al-Shabaab; and appeals for the international partners to scale up their support to the efforts of the Somali defence and security forces;

7. Pays Tribute to the AUSSOM Troop/Police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs), and Somali Security Forces for their enduring commitment and sacrifices in pursuit of lasting peace in Somalia; expresses deep condolences to the Governments and families of the AUSSOM personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and wishes speedy recovery to those sustaining injuries from Al Shabaab attacks;

8. 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;

9. Reiterates the commitment to ensure full operationalization of AUSSOM and, in this context, welcomes the readiness of Egypt to finalize the deployment of its contingents and takes note of the latest procedural steps taken, including the Pre-Deployment Visit by the AU, and the Start of negotiations on the MoU and Letter of Assist with the UN;

10. Expresses appreciation to the Republics of Burundi and Ghana for the deployment of their personnel in Somalia beyond 31 December 2025; and in this regard, requests the AU Commission to temporarily suspend the repatriation of Burundi troops, Ghana and Sierra Leone Formed Police Units (FPUs), until the Arab Republic of Egypt deploys its forces, to prevent the creation of a security vacuum in the Area of Responsibility (AoR);

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

12. Underscores the importance of ensuring that any decision concerning the future of AUSSOM operations is based on the objective assessment of the prevailing security situation on the ground;

13. Reiterates its deep concern over the persistent financial gaps to support the operations of AUSSOM which is critical for the peace, security and stability in Somalia, the region and the continent at large; in this regard, commends the AU Commission for allocating 20 million USD from the AU Peace Fund accumulated interest for AUSSOM budget for 2025; and directs the AU Commission to fast track the immediate release of the allocated funds to AUSSOM and to report on its implementation to  the next meeting of the Council;

14. Requests the AU Commission to submit to this Council a detailed report on the proposed options, including their implications on the sustainability of AUSSOM and its operations; and also requests the Commission to urgently convene a meeting of the AUSSOM TCCs/PCCs at the level of Chiefs of Defence Forces, to discuss the three options, and submit their recommendations for Council’s consideration;

15. Reiterates the need to integrate Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) in the efforts of AUSSOM, in order to ensure the restoration of sustainable peace, security and stability in Somalia;

16. Expresses deep appreciation to regional, bilateral, and multilateral organizations, including donor countries, for their invaluable contributions to peace and stability in Somalia; appeals for continued support for the ongoing efforts to secure adequate, predictable, sustainable, flexible and multiyear financing for AUSSOM and encourages them to continue supporting Somalia, including by contributing directly to the financing of AUSSOM;

17. 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 in this regard urges the UN Security Council to honour its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security;

18. Notes with concern the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia and appeals for increased donor support to the underfunded 2025 Humanitarian Plan; while encouraging Somalia’s resilience-building initiatives aimed at shifting from aid dependency to self-sufficiency through integrated programs such as food security, social protection and disaster risk management;

19. While recalling UN Security Council Resolution 2767, which endorsed the decision of Council to replace ATMIS with the AUSSOM, consistent with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, for an initial period of 12 months beginning on 1 January 2025, decides to renew the deployment and the mandate of AUSSOM for 12 months, effective from 1 January 2026; and requests the UN Security Council to endorse this decision;

20. Requests the AU Commission to transmit this Communiqué, to the UN Secretary-General for onward transmission to the UN Security Council as a working document; and

 21. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS