Somalia seeks 20,000 foreign troops after Uganda withdrawal
Turkey pledges 15,000 soldiers to bolster defences and prevent militant advances.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has asked allies for 20,000 troops to replace departing African Union forces, following Uganda's abrupt withdrawal. The president fears militant groups will seize territory vacated by the troops. Turkey has agreed to send 15,000 soldiers to strategic locations including Mogadishu, Barawe, and Baidoa before January 2027.
The deployment is part of a defence agreement between Somalia and Turkey, which aims to convert airstrips in Barawe and Baidoa into military bases. This move comes amid government concerns about defending Mogadishu after the African Union forces depart next year. The departure of Ugandan troops from key defensive positions near the capital has increased fears of a security vacuum.
Somalia's government is reportedly considering severing ties with some influential countries to rely more on Turkey's military support. Relations with neighbours Ethiopia and Kenya are already strained. Kampala refused President Mohamud's request to delay its troop withdrawal, heightening anxiety in Mogadishu.
Why it mattersSomali citizens face increased insecurity and potential militant advances due to the withdrawal of African Union forces and the government's reliance on foreign military aid.