The government of Burundi has officially informed Somalia that it will not be contributing its military forces to the new African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, called AUSSOM. The Somali Ministry of Defense acknowledges the receipt of a letter from the Burundian Ministry of Defense (Ref N°520/1687/0.1.22.0, dated 23rd December 2024), which confirmed Burundi’s decision not to participate in AUSOM.
The Somali Ministry of Defense, in its official communication, expresses disappointment over the inability to reach an agreement with the Republic of Burundi regarding the allocation of troops for the upcoming AUSSOM mission. Although Somalia had hoped for continued Burundian involvement, the letter acknowledges that a consensus could not be achieved. Despite this, the Minister of Defense makes it clear that Somalia respects Burundi’s sovereign right to decide on its military engagements and accepts the decision of non-participation without contention.
At the same time, the letter highlights Somalia’s deep appreciation for the role that the Burundi National Defense Forces (BNDF) have played over the years in supporting the country’s journey toward peace and security. It honors the sacrifices made by Burundian forces during previous missions such as AMISOM and ATMIS, recognizing their contribution as crucial to Somalia’s stability. The tone of the message remains cordial and diplomatic, aiming to preserve the strong relationship between the two nations despite the current divergence in military collaboration.
There was a disagreement between Somalia and Burundi regarding the number of Burundian troops to be deployed in AUSSOM. The Somali government allocated 1,041 troops for Burundi’s participation, but Burundi argued that this number was too low and could jeopardize the safety and operational effectiveness of its forces. Burundi insists on contributing at least 2,000 soldiers. Burundi’s main motivation for staying in Somalia is that its defense budget has been predominantly funded through its involvement in AMISOM and security aid.[1]
Read more the official letter from the Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Somalia, dated 26 December 2024, addressed to the Minister of National Defense and War Veterans of the Republic of Burundi.
[1] Bram Verelst, ‘Can Burundi afford to pull its troops out of Somalia?’ (2025) https://issafrica.org/iss-today/can-burundi-afford-to-pull-its-troops-out-of-somalia.
No comment