African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia
| African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia | |
|---|---|
| Hawlgalka Taageerada iyo Xasilinta Midowga Afrika ee Soomaaliya | |
| Leaders | Head of AUSSOM Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef |
| Dates of operation | 1 January 2025 – present |
| Headquarters | Mogadishu |
| Active regions | Central and southern Somalia |
| Allies | Somalia |
| Opponents | Al-Shabaab |
| Battles and wars | Somali Civil War |
| Website | au-ssom |
The African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is a peacekeeping operation which started in 2025 authorized by the African Union (AU) to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The mission aims to support Somali security forces in stabilizing the country and combating Al-Shabaab, while facilitating a gradual handover of security responsibilities to the Somali government.
AUSSOM’s formation has been shaped by financial constraints and, political tensions, particularly concerning Ethiopia’s role. The mission is to consist of 11,900 personnel, including military, police, and civilian staff, contributed by Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Egypt. Concerns over human rights violations committed by the previous AU operations, including extrajudicial killings and sexual violence, have raised scrutiny over troop selection and oversight. AUSSOM has been criticized for the legal immunity AU personnel operate under, which has hindered accountability for crimes and abuses.