Somalia officially concluded the presence of Burundian troops within the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on January 1, 2025. This decision reflects Somalia’s move toward reclaiming sovereignty over its security operations and transitioning to the newly established African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The new mission, AUSSOM, will field 12,626 personnel, including 1,040 police officers, significantly downsizing from ATMIS’s 20,000-strong force. Somali officials have also secured bilateral agreements to deploy an additional 11,000 troops to address potential security gaps.
Burundi, which deployed 5,500 soldiers since 2007, played a pivotal role in reclaiming key areas from Alshabab, including Mogadishu’s Ministry of Defense. However, concerns over their effectiveness and allegations of financial misconduct and collusion with militants led Somali officials to advocate for a more streamlined peacekeeping force.
Burundian forces faced significant losses over their 17-year mission, with over 1,000 casualties reported. Disputes over troop allocations in AUSSOM contributed to their exclusion, as Somalia offered only 1,041 slots compared to Burundi’s request for 2,000.
Burundian officials have criticized Somalia’s decision, accusing it of betrayal despite their sacrifices in combating Alshabab. Somali authorities, however, highlighted the need to prioritize national security capabilities, with Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur affirming the focus on a self-reliant army.
Burundi’s withdrawal occurs amid regional tensions, as Ethiopia’s participation in AUSSOM remains uncertain due to territorial disputes and other concerns. Burundian troops returning home are expected to be redeployed to eastern Congo for operations against the M23 rebel group, reflecting shifting security priorities in the region.