Addis Ababa, April 25, 2025 (FMC) – The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu (PhD), has reaffirmed IGAD’s unwavering commitment to the stabilization of Somalia, calling for urgent and coordinated support to ensure the success of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Speaking at the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AUSSOM held today at State House in Entebbe, Kampala, Uganda, Workneh praised the continued political and security efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia.
“We gather in Entebbe at a time when our regional security faces its hardest test in decades,” he said, noting that the IGAD region has been severely strained by multiple conflicts, even as it continues to recover from the global pandemic.
Executive Secretary Workneh warned that the security situation in Somalia has deteriorated in recent months, particularly in the wake of increased Al Shabaab offensives in early 2025, which he said have undermined hard-won gains. Despite this, he commended the resolve of Somali forces and AUSSOM troops who continue to defend their positions in difficult conditions.
“The mission that began on New Year’s Day under UN Resolution 2767 inherited not just ATMIS’s mandate but also a funding shortfall of 96 million dollars,” he noted. “When only 75% of our budget is secured exclusively through UN assessed contributions, commanders in the field face impossible choices about fuel, ammunition, and even basic necessities.”
To address these challenges, the IGAD chief proposed a number of practical, ground-based solutions. He urged IGAD member states to consider establishing logistics hubs and backup supply mechanisms to support frontline troops. He also called for expedited customs procedures and regional support centres to facilitate the flow of mission-critical supplies.
“There is a need to consider establishing backup supply mechanisms,” he said. “IGAD countries should be prepared to open their facilities as logistics hubs for our troops who are holding the terrorists at bay.”
Mr. Workneh highlighted the urgency of bridging the remaining 25% funding gap under UN Resolution 2719, emphasizing the need for a coordinated donor engagement strategy and focused donor conferences. He acknowledged the significant contributions of the TCCs and appealed for additional logistical support and joint contingency planning in the event of future disruptions.
“Great emphasis must be placed on the need for joint contingency planning for when, not if, supply lines are disrupted,” he said.
Reiterating IGAD’s readiness to act, Workneh said the organization is prepared to facilitate cross-border coordination among member states, deploy technical experts to assist with strategic planning, and support the AUSSOM Political Oversight Body with both personnel and resources.
Reflecting on his visit to Mogadishu shortly before the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM, Mr. Workneh noted that the Somali people are more concerned with peace and safety than the names or structures of international missions.
“Our people are not primarily concerned with what the mission is called. They care more that it keeps our children and our families safe,” he said.
He concluded with a strong call for unity and decisive action from regional leaders. “I am convinced that we were convened in Entebbe not just to read prepared statements but to look each other in the eye and collectively say: we can and must do better,” Workneh said. “Somalia’s stability and our regional security depend on it. IGAD stands with you, ready to work hand in hand until our shared vision of a secure Somalia in 2029 becomes reality.”