Meeting of the Somalia Operations Coordination Committee (SOCC) -African Union

The African Union (AU) Commission convened a two-day working session of the Somalia Operations Coordination Committee (SOCC) from 24 to 25 February 2025 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting was held at two levels: Chiefs of Defence and Police, and Ministers of Defence. It focused on the liquidation and closure of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the operationalization of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Discussions centered on ATMIS liquidation, AUSSOM force generation, and securing a sustainable financing mechanism for its operations. The meeting provided a platform for deliberating on strategic priorities, ensuring the effective conclusion of ATMIS while laying a strong foundation for AUSSOM’s success.

Participants underscored the urgency of addressing financial, operational, and security concerns before ATMIS’s liquidation is finalized. Emphasis was placed on a structured, conditions-based approach, with a focus on resource alignment, force readiness, and enhanced stakeholder coordination.

The meeting paid tribute to the extraordinary dedication and sacrifices of personnel and civilians over the past 18 years, recognizing their unwavering service in advancing peace, security, and stability in Somalia. The AU reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) to ensure personnel and equipment readiness for AUSSOM.

Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (C-PAPS), conveyed profound appreciation to the T/PCCs for their steadfast dedication to Somalia’s stability through their service under ATMIS. Honoring the bravery of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, he expressed gratitude to the European Union (EU) for its ongoing support. He reaffirmed the AU Commission’s commitment to concluding ATMIS’s liquidation responsibly, resolving outstanding liabilities, and ensuring the sustained mobilization of financial, human, and logistical resources for AUSSOM.

Ambassador Mohammed El-Amine Souef, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, provided an overview of the current security and humanitarian landscape. He emphasized the AU’s solidarity with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and reaffirmed its continued support in countering Al-Shabaab.

H.E. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nu, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Somalia, highlighted Somalia’s progress and ongoing challenges while reaffirming Somalia’s commitment to regional cooperation for lasting peace and stability. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure effective preparations for AUSSOM’s launch.

Participants demonstrated strong political will toward Somalia’s future security, engaging in substantive discussions on Member States' pledges, force generation, and deployment plans for AUSSOM. The meeting underscored the importance of continuous threat assessments to ensure the protection of personnel and civilians.

Guided by the decisions of the T/PCCs, the SOCC endorsed Somalia’s force deployment plan as the primary framework for AUSSOM’s deployment, recognizing it as key to the mission’s operational success.

Finally, the SOCC agreed to convene a technical experts’ meeting to finalize the AUSSOM deployment plan.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Lulit Kebede | Communication Officer, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department | Email: lulitk@africa-union.org

Notes to Editors:

The SOCC serves as a strategic platform for coordinating military operations in Somalia. It plays a crucial role in aligning efforts among troop-contributing countries, the Somali Security Forces, and international partners to address security threats and enhance stability in Somalia.

Additionally, the SOCC facilitates discussions on the liquidation process and Phase 2 drawdown of ATMIS, ensuring a smooth transition of security responsibilities to Somali forces. As part of this transition, the committee also oversees the force generation process for AUSSOM, coordinating troop contributions and capabilities to support Somalia’s long-term security needs.

Posted by Abraham Kebede

Last updated by Lulit Kebede

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