IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware has dismissed allegations that he undermined Somalia during the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) summit held in Uganda.
In a detailed statement, Mohamed addressed circulating social media claims suggesting his speech at the Entebbe ministerial meeting betrayed Somalia’s position and jeopardised the future of the AUSSOM mission. He clarified that these accusations misrepresented his remarks.
Mohamed explained that his speech, delivered while representing IGAD, focused on:
- Honouring Somali and African Union forces who sacrificed their lives over nearly two decades of operations against Al-Shabaab.
- Reviewing the progress and challenges of AUSSOM’s mission to date.
- Highlighting the need for a transparent discussion on the mission’s future to avoid a disorderly withdrawal that could empower Al-Shabaab.
- Emphasising that defeating Al-Shabaab requires addressing economic, political, and social issues alongside military efforts.
- Recognising legitimate concerns from troop-contributing countries and partners regarding the mission’s duration.
- Advocating for a phased transition of Somalia’s security responsibilities to its indigenous forces to enable AUSSOM troops to return home as heroes.
Mohamed rejected interpretations that his views were hostile to Somalia, stressing that his intention was to support the country’s long-term security and prevent premature peacekeeper withdrawal that could threaten stability.
To promote transparency, he released the full text of his speech and the official meeting summary, urging the public to assess his remarks based on the records rather than rumours. He also noted that closed session discussions remain confidential.
His statement comes amid ongoing talks between Somalia and regional partners on AUSSOM’s future and the handover of security duties to Somali forces while maintaining pressure on Al-Shabaab.
