President Museveni meets AU Chair Mahmoud Youssouf at State House Entebbe, reaffirming Uganda’s strong commitment to the African Union’s goals and Pan-African solidarity. The meeting took place during the ongoing AUSSOM summit in Kampala, a critical gathering focused on peace efforts in Somalia.
Youssouf, a veteran diplomat from Djibouti, was elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission in February 2025, succeeding Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, who served two terms. Museveni congratulated him warmly, calling his appointment “a win for regional unity and Pan-Africanism.”
The two leaders addressed several key continental challenges, with a strong focus on peace, security, and African-led solutions for self-reliance. Museveni emphasized the need to confront root causes of instability in countries like Somalia, particularly tribalism and identity-based politics, which continue to weaken efforts to build a unified national army.
He reflected on Uganda’s own journey, explaining how volunteer-led resistance forces laid the foundation for a strong military despite limited resources. Museveni stressed that supporting soldiers’ families is essential to maintaining morale and cohesion.
“If a soldier earns a low salary, but their children go to school for free, housing and healthcare are provided, and their spouse accesses small business loans—that’s how you build a strong army on a small budget,” he said.
Youssouf is currently attending the Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The summit, held at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, began on April 22 and concludes on April 25, 2025.
During the discussion, Youssouf acknowledged Uganda’s major role in Somalia over the past 17 years. He called for renewed regional solidarity, saying now is a crucial time for African nations to come together.
“When people asked why we placed this summit in Uganda,” Youssouf said, “I told them that President Museveni is our regional leader and a Pan-African. There is no better venue than Uganda.”
The leaders concluded their meeting with a shared commitment to strengthening African institutions and empowering local solutions for peace and development.
