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Burundi has officially begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia, marking the end of an 18-year deployment under the African Union’s peacekeeping missions. This decision follows a dispute over troop contributions to the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at the start of 2025.
Burundian forces, which played a crucial role in Somalia’s security since 2007, had sought to deploy 2,000 troops under AUSSOM. However, Somalia allocated only 1,041 slots to Burundi—far fewer than expected. This decision sparked criticism from Burundian officials, who accused Somalia of ingratitude despite Burundi’s long-standing commitment to fighting al-Shabaab.
Burundi was one of the earliest contributors to AMISOM, at one point deploying over 5,500 troops, making it the second-largest contingent after Uganda. Burundian forces were instrumental in securing key locations, including Mogadishu’s Ministry of Defense headquarters, and were deeply involved in operations aimed at expelling al-Shabaab militants from strongholds across the country.
However, in recent years, concerns over the effectiveness of Burundian troops have grown. Somali officials raised questions about their performance and voiced concerns over financial mismanagement and alleged collusion with militant groups. Tensions between the two governments increased, further exacerbated by accusations of corruption among Burundian officers and reports of peacekeeping funds being misused.
During nearly two decades of deployment, over 1,000 Burundian soldiers lost their lives in combat, with many more wounded or taken captive. Despite these sacrifices, Burundian diplomats felt sidelined by their exclusion from AUSSOM. One senior Burundian official criticized Somalia, saying, “We have witnessed betrayal and ingratitude despite the immense sacrifices we made.” Burundi even went as far as demanding an official apology from Somalia.
Somali officials, however, defended the decision, stating that the transition to AUSSOM was necessary for the country to take greater control of its security operations. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi acknowledged Burundi’s contributions but emphasized that AUSSOM’s structure prioritizes a more streamlined and Somali-led security framework.
Burundi’s withdrawal raises concerns about potential security gaps, particularly in areas where its forces played a major role in counterterrorism operations. To address this, Uganda has pledged to increase its troop presence under AUSSOM, while Egypt has committed 1,091 personnel, marking its first direct involvement in Somalia’s security efforts.
The shift from ATMIS to AUSSOM reduced the total AU troop presence in Somalia from 20,000 to 12,626, including 1,040 police officers. To offset this reduction, Somalia has secured bilateral agreements to deploy an additional 11,000 troops, aiming to sustain counterterrorism operations and stabilize areas reclaimed from al-Shabaab.
As Burundi redirects its focus, many of its troops are expected to be redeployed to eastern Congo, where they are engaged in combating the M23 rebel group. This shift highlights the competing security priorities of African Union member states and signals a broader reevaluation of regional peacekeeping commitments.
Burundi’s withdrawal is not the only issue AUSSOM faces. Ethiopia’s participation in the mission was initially uncertain due to diplomatic tensions with Somalia, mainly arising from Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, which sought to grant Ethiopia access to a Red Sea port. Somalia opposed this deal, insisting that Ethiopian troops would not be included in AUSSOM unless Addis Ababa annulled the agreement. However, diplomatic negotiations mediated by Turkey led to the Ankara Declaration in late 2024, restoring formal ties between the two nations. This breakthrough paved the way for Ethiopia’s inclusion in AUSSOM, with both governments later signing a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in early 2025 to formalize Ethiopia’s troop deployment under Somalia’s authority.
The African Union, alongside international partners, continues to push for stability in Somalia, but regional rivalries and security concerns present significant obstacles to AUSSOM’s success. Despite these challenges, Somalia remains committed to taking full control of its security operations.
Somali officials argue that AUSSOM provides an opportunity to restructure the country’s defense strategy, integrating international support with a more capable and self-sufficient national army. A Somali government official reaffirmed this vision, stating, “The focus is on building a professional, self-reliant force that can safeguard Somalia’s future without long-term dependence on foreign troops.”
With Burundi’s departure and new players entering Somalia’s security landscape, the coming months will be critical in determining the effectiveness of AUSSOM and Somalia’s ability to maintain stability in the face of ongoing threats.