MOGADISHU, February 20, 2026 – The Commander of the Somali National Army, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud, held a high level security meeting in Mogadishu with senior African Union officials to strengthen coordination on Somalia’s security transition and joint counterterrorism operations.
The closed door meeting took place at SNA headquarters and brought together the Special Representative of the African Union and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, and AUSSOM Force Commander General Sam Kavuma.
Discussions focused on reinforcing strategic cooperation and direct operational partnership between the SNA and AUSSOM as Somalia advances the implementation of its Security Transition Plan. The framework outlines the gradual transfer of security responsibilities from African Union forces to Somali national security institutions.
Both sides reviewed progress in force generation, deployment readiness and coordination mechanisms to ensure that adjustments to the international troop presence are aligned with the SNA’s operational capacity.
The leaders also assessed ongoing joint operations targeting al Shabab militants. According to officials, commanders examined battlefield logistics, force mobility and tactical adjustments aimed at increasing operational tempo and securing newly liberated areas.
Brigadier General Ibrahim, who recently assumed command of the SNA, commended AUSSOM for its continued role in supporting national security and stabilisation efforts. He reaffirmed the army’s commitment to sustained joint operations with international partners until militant networks are dismantled.
The meeting comes as Somali forces prepare for renewed operations against al Shabab following the Ramadan period, part of a broader campaign to consolidate territorial gains and accelerate the transition to Somali led security operations.
