Somalia receives military equipment from African Union ahead of AUSSOM deployment

Somalia receives military equipment from African Union ahead of AUSSOM deployment

sOURCE: hIIRAAN 0NLINE, Friday March 28, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali government has received a significant shipment of military equipment from the African Union to enhance the country’s security infrastructure and support ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.

The consignment includes armored vehicles, helmets and vests, an armored personnel carrier, fuel and water tankers, engines, medical supplies, and other essential resources.

Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, H.E. Amb. Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa received the equipment during a handover event with the AU Continental Logistics Base (CLB) team in Douala, Cameroon.

In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep appreciation for the AU’s continued support, calling it a critical contribution to Somalia’s counterterrorism and state-building efforts.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia extends its heartfelt appreciation to the African Union for its continued and invaluable support, which strengthens regional security, supports institutional development, and advances counterterrorism efforts,” the statement read. “This reaffirms the shared dedication to fostering long-term stability, resilience, and progress across the continent.”

The handover comes just one day after a four-day technical meeting between representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), the Somali government, and troop-contributing countries. The meeting finalized plans for capacity-building, force composition, and deployment strategies under the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

AUSSOM will officially replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is expected to be fully operational by July 1. The new mission will focus on supporting Somali-led security operations and institutional reforms as part of the country’s roadmap toward full security self-reliance.