AU Seeks 8,000 More Troops to Bolster Somalia Mission Against Al-Shabaab

African and regional leaders are calling for the urgent deployment of 8,000 additional troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to counter significant territorial gains by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab. The request comes amid concerns over recent Al-Shabaab offensives, which have threatened key regions, disrupted supply routes, and reversed prior security gains, placing both Mogadishu and Jowhar under imminent threat. AUSSOM, which recently replaced ATMIS, faces a severe funding shortfall and logistical constraints, exacerbated by Burundi's expected troop withdrawal and ongoing disagreements among African states over troop contributions. Regional leaders, including those from IGAD and the African Union, emphasize the need for increased air assets, enhanced intelligence capabilities, and improved coordination with Somalia's government and local defense forces. Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated, with millions displaced and basic services disrupted in Al-Shabaab-controlled areas. The Kampala summit concluded with calls for sustained international support, rapid troop deployment, and a donor summit to address funding gaps.