Ethiopia Reaffirms Unwavering Commitment to Somalia’s Peace, Security at AUSSOM Troop-contributing Summit

Kampala: Ethiopia has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing peace, security, and stability in Somalia. The East African nation also reaffirmed its continued support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and regional efforts to safeguard hard-won security gains across the Horn of Africa.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the pledge was made during the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AUSSOM, held in Kampala, Uganda, where leaders and representatives of contributing nations discussed the future of the mission and the collective response to persistent security threats in Somalia. Addressing the summit, the Ethiopian delegation stressed that preserving the progress achieved in the fight against terrorism is a shared regional responsibility.Ethiopia renewed its determination to prevent any reversal of the gains secured through years of joint African Union operations and cooperation with Somalia and international partners. The delegation emphasized that the sacrifices made by thousands of Somali, Ethiopian, Ugandan, Kenyan, Burundian, and Djiboutian soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace must not be allowed to fade. Protecting those gains, it said, is essential for Somalia's long-term stability and the broader security of the Horn of Africa.Ethiopia reiterated that it will continue to support the African Union's stabilization efforts and deepen cooperation with regional and international partners to promote sustainable peace, counter terrorism, and strengthen security institutions in Somalia. The summit also highlighted the strategic importance of coordinated regional action as AUSSOM enters a critical phase of supporting Somalia's security transition and state-building efforts.Ethiopia noted that, for more than two decades, members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces have served under successive African Union missions in Somalia with dedication, professionalism, and courage, contributing significantly to regional peace and security despite considerable human and material sacrifices. The Ethiopian delegation further reaffirmed that lasting peace in Somalia remains indispensable to the security, economic integration, and stability of the wider Horn of Africa, underscoring Ethiopia's continued commitment to collective African solutions for regional peace and security.