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Somalia, Uganda Deepen Security Cooperation As Regional Military Chiefs Meet In Mogadishu

Storyline:Security, War on Al-Shabaab

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia and Uganda have agreed to strengthen security cooperation and coordination in the fight against Al Shabaab, as senior military leaders from countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) met in Mogadishu to discuss the next phase of regional security efforts.

The commitment emerged during talks between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, General Sam Okiding, who is in the Somali capital to attend the commanders’ conference.

According to the Somali presidency, the discussions focused on enhancing joint military operations against al Shabaab, improving coordination between Somali security forces and regional partners, and reinforcing cooperation to support long-term stability in Somalia.

President Mohamud thanked Uganda for its continued contribution to Somalia’s security, including its role in training Somali forces and supporting efforts to strengthen the country’s defence institutions.

The commanders’ conference is expected to produce recommendations aimed at improving operational coordination among AUSSOM troop-contributing countries as Somalia continues to build the capacity of its own security forces and gradually assume greater responsibility for national security.

Uganda has been one of Somalia’s closest security partners since deploying troops under the African Union mission in 2007 and remains one of the largest contributors to AUSSOM. The two countries have also expanded cooperation in military training, intelligence sharing and institutional capacity-building as Somalia works to modernise its armed forces.

The meeting comes as Somali forces, backed by AUSSOM and international partners, continue operations against al Shabaab while the African Union and its partners seek long-term financing for the mission. Security analysts say stronger coordination among troop-contributing countries will be essential to sustaining pressure on the insurgency and ensuring a smooth transition towards greater Somali-led security responsibility.