The operation dubbed African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will officially commence its operations on July 1, 2025, and will take over the security responsibility from the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). AUSSSOM came into being on Jan. 1, 2025 and was approved by the UN Security Council.
It is expected that there will be 12, 000 soldiers serving under AUSSOM including military personnel and police officers. The plan in place is to reduce the number by the end of 2025. However, AUSSOM is facing financial obstacles, and it needs $ 90.4 million between the months of January and June, 2025.
The operation received $ 6.7 million which means it still needs $ 73.7 million. In order to receive that funds, The UN accepted to finance and pay 75 % of the yearly AUSSOM budget starting from July 1, 2025.
Before the commencement of AUSSOM operations, AUSSOM troops along with the Somali National Army (SNA) captured strategic settlements which were under the control of Al-Shabab. The operation which lasted for three days dubbed “Silent Storm” liberated Sabiid and Anole settlement.
A statement issued by AUSSOM said that the objective behind the operation was to flush out Al-Shabab from areas under their control. Brigadier General Joseph Ssemwanga, the Sector One Commander, said that Sabiid and Anole become a strategic center for Al-Shabab since March in which they mobilized deadly attacks stored weapons, explosive-laden vehicles, and set up illegal checkpoints.
