MOGADISHU, Somalia – Representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), Somalia and troop-contributing countries have concluded a four-day meeting to finalise plans for capacity building in the peace mission in Somalia, the AU mission said on Wednesday.
The meeting finalised the force composition and deployment plans for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the AU mission said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
“One of the key deliverables of this meeting is the finalisation of the Statement of Unit Requirements (SUR), which details the specific troop and police capabilities required for AUSSOM to effectively execute its mandate,” said Billy Atwoki Winter, head of the AUC delegation.
The agreed SUR provides a detailed force composition, outlining the operational and logistical capability requirements for AUSSOM’s military and police contingents, the AU mission said.
It added that the SUR also includes Quick Reaction Forces, Tactical Battle Groups, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities, aviation enablers, and police components, elements designed to enhance AUSSOM’s operational effectiveness in countering al-Shabab and stabilising Somalia.
AUC, Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and representatives from AUSSOM Troop and Police Contributing Countries at conclusion of a four-day technical working sessionThe Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD), March 26, 2025. /AUSSOM/X
The meeting was an important step toward the closure of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the launch of AUSSOM, which is set to become fully operational by July 1.
Senior Defense Advisor to the Somali President Jihan Abdullahi Hassan said that the planning for AUSSOM “must be centered on Somalia’s national security vision to ensure that its startup is phased, sustainable, and based on lessons learned from previous missions.”
AUSSOM replaced ATMIS on January 1 and operates under a new Concept of Operations adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council in August 2024.
The meeting also discussed the finalization of sector boundaries and operational areas, agreed on military and police deployments, including repatriation plans, and made strategic adjustments to enhance force mobility and responsiveness.
