Somalia: Al-Shabaab Recaptures Areas Secured by Ugandan Forces
In the reverberating heart of Somalia’s Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, a distressing chapter unfolds as Al-Shabaab has reclaimed territories painstakingly secured by Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and other foreign contingents. These areas, once kept under the vigilant gaze of the African Union’s peacekeeping mission, now face a renewed threat.
Al-Shabaab, with its unsettling knack for exploiting moments of transition, has launched a spate of lethal operations. These offensives follow the drawdown of forces previously under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), succeeded by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and now AUSSOM. A delicate dance of retreat leaves gaps that insurgent groups are quick to exploit. Minister Jacob Markson Oboth, representing Defence and Veteran Affairs, candidly conveyed the alarming reality: “I want to inform you that Al-Shabaab is recapturing many places which had previously been secured.” His plea comes with a stark warning: numbers must rise to counteract this rapid resurgence.
This dialogue unfolded in Kampala, during a crucial evaluation meeting, where peacekeeping commanders and senior security delegates—hailing from Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, and Egypt—convened. These discussions, tinged with urgency and reflection, continue a mission that began in 2007. A mission that now demands introspection amidst a backdrop of shifting realities.
A recent incident serves as a grim reminder of the stakes. On May 26, 2023, an audacious attack on the UPDF Base at Buulo-Mareer claimed 54 Ugandan lives. Lt Col Edward Nyororo, the base commander, counted among the fallen. Others met an unsettling fate, captured amidst the chaos. Such losses underscore the question: What measures will prevent history repeating?
Funding withdrawals by United Nations Security Council permanent members in late 2021 added another layer of complexity. They contended that AMISOM had outlived its purpose, prompting a reduction in forces. The decision saw UPDF’s strength dwindle from over 6,000 to around 3,000. But are these numbers, as remarked by various Troops Contributing Countries (TCCs), sufficient against a rekindled foe?
“Your commitment and bravery have written a chapter of African solidarity that history will not forget,” stated Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. His words, a tribute to nearly twenty years of sacrifice, also serve as a poignant reminder of the shared journey and the battles yet to be won. “We have a functioning government, a growing national army, and clear political structures. But we cannot complete this fight alone.”
With calls to bolster foreign forces, a shadow of doubt is cast upon perspectives held by permanent UN Security Council members—nations like the US, UK, France, and Germany. They advocate that Somalia’s National Forces should now shoulder its security mantle. Is this belief premature, or a necessary nudge towards sovereignty?
In the mosaic of international relations and national struggles, Somalia finds itself at a crossroads. The choices made will reverberate far beyond its borders. As Mark Twain once pondered, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” With courage, and the ever-watchful eyes of history, Somalia and its allies must craft the way forward.
Edited By Ali Musa, Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
