President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in Somalia, saying African countries have both the responsibility and ability to address security challenges facing the continent.

Museveni made the remarks during the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), where regional leaders and partners reviewed Somalia’s security situation and efforts to sustain stabilisation.

The summit followed meetings by defence chiefs and ministers who assessed the security environment in Somalia and reviewed AUSSOM’s operational progress.

Addressing the summit, Museveni said Uganda’s decision to deploy troops to Somalia was not based on geographical proximity but on strategic interests and principles.

“Uganda doesn’t have a border with Somalia. Therefore, we decided to involve ourselves in Somalia out of principle and strategy,” Museveni said.

The President said Uganda chose to support Somalia because it opposed extremist groups seeking to impose their ideology on African societies.

“We did not accept the extremist groups who come here and waste our time, saying they want to impose themselves on society,” he said, adding that Uganda had experienced similar security challenges in the past.

Museveni said Africa must continue developing its own solutions to security challenges, particularly as some international partners reconsider their involvement.

“If those Western countries want to pull out, that is their decision. Somalia is not going to be abandoned because of some people outside. We have the capacity,” he said.

He emphasised that African countries should remain focused on cooperation and mutual support in addressing threats to peace and stability.

The Ugandan leader also called for respect among different communities, saying Africa’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths.

“We Africans of this region have a very rich history. We are different, but we don’t try to impose our identity on others,” Museveni said.

During a closed session, Heads of State and Government received reports from defence chiefs and ministers on Somalia’s security situation, AUSSOM’s operational readiness, and the broader political and security environment.

The summit also considered a report from Defence Ministers on the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, working together with the Federal Government of Somalia.

In their final communiqué, leaders commended troop-contributing countries for their sacrifices in supporting Somalia’s fight against terrorism and stabilisation efforts.

They paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives and those injured while serving under AUSSOM.

The leaders stressed the importance of preserving Somalia’s unity, rebuilding public confidence, strengthening democratic governance, and developing state institutions.

They also called for politics based on shared national interests rather than identity.

The summit tasked the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from TCC countries, together with the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union, to mobilise sustainable funding for AUSSOM, including through a donors’ conference.