Uganda begins phased withdrawal of troops from Somalia after 20 years

Uganda has initiated the phased withdrawal of its troops from Somalia, concluding almost 20 years of military involvement in the country, DW English reported. The first group of Ugandan soldiers has already returned home as part of this process, according to a statement from the Ugandan military.

Uganda was the first country to deploy troops to Somalia in 2007 under an African Union peacekeeping mission aimed at supporting the Somali government against Al-Shabab Islamist militants, BBC World reported. The mission has been a key part of efforts to stabilize Somalia.

Currently, about 4,500 Ugandan troops are stationed in Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), with an additional 2,000 deployed under bilateral agreements, DW English stated. The withdrawal will be completed by the end of 2027.

The Ugandan military said the pullout will allow the Somali Armed Forces to take full responsibility for security in Somalia. This marks the end of Uganda's peace and stabilization support operations in the Horn of Africa country, DW English added.