Uganda Begins Withdrawal of Troops from Somalia

The Government of Uganda has begun withdrawing its military forces from Somalia, marking the end of a deployment that lasted 20 years. The exit is structured in two stages: troops deployed under a bilateral agreement with the Somali government will depart within days, while the remaining forces, including African Union peacekeepers, will gradually leave by the end of 2027.

To prevent al-Shabab militants from exploiting a security vacuum, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia will take over four critical bases—Sabid-Anole, Bariire, Awdheegle, and Bulonagad—during November troop rotations. These positions are considered essential for the protection of the capital, Mogadishu.

The withdrawal follows the closure of the United Nations' political mission in Somalia and occurs amid internal political disputes over the president's tenure and persistent militant attacks. Somali army commander Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud has instructed troops in Barawe to remain on high alert and intensify operations against al-Shabab. However, concerns remain that the Somali army lacks the necessary resources to manage the security environment in Lower Shabelle, particularly following a recent ambush in the Bay region that killed at least 20 Somali soldiers.