By During a high-level summit of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) held in Kampala, Hon. Jacob Mackson Oboth called for the establishment of a “TCC plus Somalia Peer Review Mechanism” to oversee, coordinate, and ensure accountability for AUSSOM operations. He recommended that the mechanism be chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whom he praised as a seasoned statesman and the Dean of the TCCs.
“President Museveni’s vast experience and deep commitment to regional peace make him the ideal figure to lead this critical oversight body,” said Hon. Oboth. “This mechanism will offer structured guidance and help build consensus among TCCs and Somalia.”
The proposed mechanism, which would be convened within two months and supported by the African Union Commission, reflects Uganda’s growing role as a regional stabilizer and its ambition to steer collective security efforts on the continent.
At the summit, Minister Oboth reaffirmed Uganda’s unshakable commitment to Somalia’s security and paid tribute to soldiers from all contributing countries who have died in the line of duty. He also condemned Al Shabaab’s continued operations, citing the militant group’s recent gains in Middle and Lower Shabelle, including the capture of key forward operating bases.
He used the opportunity to rally support for an additional deployment of 8,000 troops, which would boost the current AUSSOM force of 11,146, to reclaim lost territory and restore stability.
“Only through a robust and unified counter-offensive can we defeat this persistent threat,” he warned.
The minister also raised the issue of sustainable financing for AUSSOM, urging swift implementation of the recently adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2719 and calling on the AU Peace Fund to bridge critical funding gaps.
He expressed gratitude to long-time partners including the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, United Nations, and others for their continued support since 2007.
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