Kenya Reaffirms Commitment to Peace in Somalia, Says Deputy President Kindiki
Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: Eastern Africa’s Stability Hinges on Somalia’s Security, Kindiki Tells AUSSOM Summit.
Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reiterated the country’s unwavering commitment to fostering peace and stability in Somalia, underscoring the regional significance of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
Speaking after the Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), held in Entebbe, Uganda, Kindiki emphasized that Kenya will continue to play its part in ensuring the success of the mission.
“Kenya remains committed to the ideals of a peaceful Somalia and will do its part to ensure the success of AUSSOM and the disruption of terrorist support networks in the region. A stable, secure Somalia has direct consequences on peace and security for Kenya and Eastern Africa,” said Deputy President Kindiki.
The summit, hosted at Uganda’s State House by President Yoweri Museveni, brought together high-level leaders from troop-contributing countries, including Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Djibouti’s Prime Minister Abdoulkadir Kamil Mohamed, Egypt’s Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Ethiopia’s Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa, and senior officials from other partner nations.
The leaders unanimously acknowledged the strategic importance of defeating Al Shabaab and other extremist groups to guarantee lasting peace in Somalia. They emphasized the need to address operational gaps by mobilizing sustainable and adequate funding for the mission.
A joint communique from the summit called on the African Union Commission (AUC) to explore all avenues to secure additional financial support through the AU Peace Fund, noting that current shortfalls were hampering progress on the ground.
Furthermore, the summit urged the urgent deployment of at least 8,000 additional troops to bolster AUSSOM and the Somali Security Forces (SSF), ensuring that recent gains in stability are not lost.
“The Summit stressed the urgent need to consider deploying bilateral troops to augment AUSSOM and SSF, taking into consideration the current security situation in the country,” the communique stated.
As the region confronts complex security challenges, leaders at the summit reaffirmed their shared resolve to work collaboratively in ensuring a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Somalia for the benefit of the entire Eastern African region.
