Country: South Sudan Source: African Union Please refer to the attached file. Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1287th meeting held, at Ministerial level, on 3 July 2025 on Update on the Situation in Somalia and Operations of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).The Peace and Security Council,Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Somalia and on the Operations of AUSSOM, particularly Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM. 1276 (2025)] adopted at its 1276th meeting held on 29 April 2025 and [PSC/MIN/COMM.1253 (2024)] adopted at its 1253rd meeting, held on 19 December 2024; as well as United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2767 (2024) which endorsed the PSC Decision to replace the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with AUSSOM with effect from 1 January 2025;Also recalling the Communiqué of the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and the Federal Government of Somalia adopted on 25 April 2025 in Entebbe, Uganda; and the outcomes of the Somalia Operations Coordination Committee (SOCC) Meeting of 25 February 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;Reaffirming the AU solidarity with the people and the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia in their aspirations for durable peace, security, stability, and prosperity; Reiterating the AU’s respect for the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia;Taking note of the Opening Statement by Honorable General Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and PSC Chairperson for July, and the briefing by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssoufu, the Chairperson of the AU Commission;Also taking note of the statement by Honorable Ali Mohamed Omar, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; as well as statements by the representatives of IGAD; the European Union, and the United Nations; andActing under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:1. Commends the efforts being deployed by the Federal Government of Somalia to accelerate the realisation of critical national priorities and emphasize the necessity for the FGS, the Federal Member States, including Jubaland and Puntland which have distanced themselves from Mogadishu-led initiatives, as well as key political actors to remain open for an inclusive political dialogue aimed at achieving a credible and broad-based consensus which is crucial in advancing Somalia’s state building processes;2. Expresses deep concern over the security situation in Somalia posed by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and welcomes the successes made by the Somali Security Forces, with support from key security partners, and encourages them to sustain these operations in order to more effectively degrade and ultimately defeat the threat of Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups;3. Underscoresthe need for rapid force generation, and integration including the recruitment of Community/ Local Defence Forces (LDFs), and Mobile Forces, to hold areas, and undertake operations as part of the Clear, Hold and Build Strategy so as to preserve the gains that have been made so far against Al shbaab terrorists;4. Underscores the importance of sustained and coordinated capacity building support to the Somali Defense and Security Forces;5. Recalling the decisions of the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and the Federal Government of Somalia, adopted on 25 April 2025 in Uganda, requests the Chiefs of Defence Forces of the TCCS plus Somalia to work out a comprehensive plan to deter, degrade and eliminate Al Shabaab;6. Pays tribute to the AUSSOM Troop/Police-contributing countries, and Somali Security Forces for their enduring commitment and sacrifices; pays particular tribute to the men and women of AUSSOM for their commitment to duty; expresses condolences to the families of the AUSSOM personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and stability in Somalia and wishes speedy recovery to the wounded;7. Expresses deep concern over the financial gaps to support the deployment of AUSSOM which is critical for the peace, security and stability in Somalia and, in this regard*, decides* to increase the ceiling level of the Crisis Reserve Facility (CRF) by an additional 10 million USD to make it 20 million USD for 2025 to support the deployment of AUSSOM; in this regard, requests the AU Commission to submit this decision to the relevant AU Policy Organs for urgent consideration in line with the AU Financial Rules;8. Underlines that Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations accords the UN Security Council the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security; in this regard stresses the need to take full advantage of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023) to ensure predictable, sustainable and adequate financing of AU-led Peace Support Operations;9. Underscores the need for scaling up efforts towards securing predictable and sustainable funding for AUSSOM and, in this respect directs the AU Commission to engage the United Nations, European Union, United Kingdom, Somalia and other bilateral partners to organize a resource mobilization conference for AUSSOM;10. Expresses deep appreciation to regional, bilateral, and multilateral organizations, including donor countries, for their invaluable contributions to peace and stability in Somalia;11. Appeals to the partners to support the ongoing efforts to secure adequate, predictable, sustainable, flexible and multiyear financing for AUSSOM and encourages them to continue supporting Somalia, including contributing directly to the financing of AUSSOM;12. Recognizesthe evolving security context since the adoption of the Concept of Operations (CONOPs) for AUSSOM in Somalia, andrecallsthe Communiqué of the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Troop Contributing Countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and the Federal Government of Somalia adopted on 25 April 2025 in Entebbe, Uganda; and the outcomes of the SOCC of 25 February 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, andrequeststhe Commission to update with regard to the increased number and location of Forward Operating Bases, and their logistical support and aviation requirements of the operation, and submit these new requirements to Council within six (6) weeks for consideration and transmission to the UN Security Council, to enable continued United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) logistical support to AUSSOM on this basis;13. Decidesthat all AUSSOM military and police forces currently in the mission area, including those whose transfer out of the mission area by 30 June 2025 was suspended for operational reasons, to be eligible for logistical support from UNSOS, for a period not exceeding six (6) months, pending the full deployment of all AUSSOM TCCs, it being understood that such rotations and delayed repatriations be undertaken within the approved personnel ceiling of AUSSOM**;**14. Commendsall the TCCs who have deployed additional troops on a bilateral basis to address the prevailing security situation in Somalia and calls upon those that have not yet done so, to do the same;15. Reiterates the need for the AU Comission in coordination with the UN to finalize the process for the deployment of Egyptian troops and the repatriation of Burundi troops and, in the same vein, calls for support modalities for the continued presence of Burundi troops;16. Also reiterates the unwavering commitment of the AU to continue supporting Somalia until Al Shabaab is completely eliminated and durable peace, security and stability are fully restored in Somalia; as well as the commitment of the AU to help preserve the gains achieved thus far and not to abandon Somalia;17. Underlines the need to integrate post-conflict reconstruction and development in the efforts of AUSSOM, in order to ensure the restoration of sustainable peace, security and stability in Somalia, which will tremendously benefit the entire region and the Continent; and18. Agrees to remain actively seized of the matter.