Somalia’s president visits Uganda as ATMIS exit draws near 

MOGADISHU (Adduun) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Kampala on Saturday for an official visit to discuss with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni the upcoming withdrawal of ATMIS peacekeepers from Somalia on December 31, with Uganda contributing troops to both the current mission and its AU-led successor, AUSSOM. 

“H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Kampala, Uganda, for an official visit,” Villa Somalia said in a statement. 

“He will hold discussions with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and Uganda, fostering enhanced cooperation on regional security and stability.” 

In his talks, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will seek Ugandan support for including Egyptian forces in the new AU-led peacekeeping mission set to begin in January, despite reported resistance from other East African troop contributors, including Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi, while Ethiopia has threatened to take action if the arrival of Egyptian troops is perceived as a threat to its security. 

Somalia has formally authorized Egypt to join the new AU peacekeeping mission while planning to expel Ethiopian forces, amidst a bitter dispute between Cairo and Addis Ababa over the construction of the GERD on the Blue Nile River, raising alarm among donors and regional governments that the mission may be undermined by rivalries and that Egypt’s presence near Ethiopia could exacerbate instability in an already fragile region beset by prolonged conflicts. 

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