African Union peacekeepers are preparing to take over four military bases near Somalia’s capital, replacing departing Ugandan troops.
According to a letter from the African Union mission to the UN support office in Somalia on Thursday, the move is to prevent al-Shabab militants from exploiting potential security gaps.
Uganda announced on Monday that the withdrawal of its troops had begun, confirming that the first group of soldiers had already returned home.
Uganda’s current withdrawal involves troops stationed in Somalia under a bilateral security agreement with the Somali government.
Uganda is one of the biggest troop contributors to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The departing troops are currently stationed in Barawe, a coastal port town approximately 220 kilometers (135 miles) southwest of Mogadishu. It remains unclear which forces will assume responsibility for all the positions being vacated.
Military spokesman Col. Chris Magezi said troops deployed under the bilateral agreement would complete their withdrawal within days. The country’s remaining forces, including those serving under the African Union mission, are expected to leave gradually by the end of 2027.
An October 31 letter from the African Union mission stated that Uganda deployed the bilateral forces following an April 2025 summit, during which African leaders called for additional peacekeepers to support the fight against al-Shabab.
The Ugandan troops subsequently helped Somali forces recapture and secure territory over the following 17 months.
The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) plans to take over four military positions — Sabid-Anole, Bariire, Awdheegle and Bulonagad — during troop rotations scheduled for November.
The letter identifies the four locations as strategically important to the security of Mogadishu.
MG/as/APA