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Somalia: President Hassan Sheikh Visits Uganda to Thank Peacekeeping Nations

KAMPALA, Uganda — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud touched down in Kampala on Saturday, marking the commencement of a diplomatic tour aimed at expressing gratitude to nations contributing troops to peacekeeping efforts in Somalia. This visit to Uganda is the first in a series that will also include stops in Burundi, Kenya, and Djibouti. However, notably absent from President Mohamud’s itinerary is Ethiopia, a country that has historically played a pivotal role in Somalia’s peacekeeping operations.

The exclusion of Ethiopia from this tour comes amidst reports of strained relations, particularly highlighted by Somalia’s opposition to Ethiopian involvement in peacekeeping missions due to geopolitical tensions. This strategic move by President Mohamud not only underscores the shifting dynamics in regional security cooperation but also reflects Somalia’s ongoing efforts to assert its national sovereignty and manage its external security arrangements independently.

During his visit to Uganda, President Mohamud is set to engage in high-level discussions with President Yoweri Museveni. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing security collaboration, and discussing the transition from the current African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the newly proposed African Union mission, AUSSOM, set to commence in January 2025. The transition is crucial as it signals Somalia’s steps towards taking greater control of its security, with the ATMIS mission planned to conclude by the end of 2024.

President Mohamud’s agenda includes thanking Uganda for its longstanding commitment to peace in Somalia through the deployment of its troops. This appreciation tour is not just ceremonial; it serves as a diplomatic outreach to ensure continued support in the fight against Al-Shabaab, the militant group that has been a significant threat to regional stability.

Moreover, the tour could also involve discussions on troop training and capacity building, as evidenced by previous engagements where Somali forces have been trained in Uganda. Such training programs are seen as vital for bolstering Somalia’s military capabilities to combat internal threats effectively.

The broader implications of this tour touch on several aspects of Somalia’s foreign policy under President Mohamud’s leadership. It reflects a strategy of diversification and balance in international relations, particularly in the context of African solidarity and security cooperation. By engaging with these nations, Mohamud not only seeks to secure military support but also aims to foster economic partnerships and political alliances that could benefit Somalia’s reconstruction and development efforts post-conflict.

This diplomatic initiative by President Mohamud is indicative of Somalia’s nuanced approach to security, where maintaining strong relationships with neighboring and contributing nations is as crucial as managing domestic insurgency threats. The tour, therefore, is a testament to Somalia’s commitment to regional peace and stability, emphasizing the importance of collective security efforts in tackling transnational threats like terrorism.

HORN LIFE

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