The African Union has authorised AUSSOM to support Somali government forces against Al-Shabaab in South West State while ordering the mission to remain politically neutral.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Somali Report) — The African Union has authorised its Somalia mission, AUSSOM, to support federal government forces in military operations in South West State, according to an internal AU document obtained by Somali media, as political tensions between Mogadishu and forces loyal to former South West president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen continue to escalate.
The document, dated August 21 and issued by the AU Commission's Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, says AUSSOM can assist Somali forces in operations against Al-Shabaab and armed groups believed to have links to the jihadist organisation.
But the directive also orders the AU mission to maintain political neutrality and avoid becoming involved in Somalia's internal political disputes.
The development comes after the Somali federal government formally asked the African Union to intervene in the deteriorating security situation in South West State.
The AU document, identified as CPAPS/B3/779.26, was addressed to the head of AUSSOM and refers directly to a request from the federal government for the mission to intervene in the security situation in the state.
The AU said it was deeply concerned by reports of an increasingly close alliance between local militias and Al-Shabaab, alleging that the reported cooperation had contributed to organised attacks against Somali government forces in and around Baidoa.
However, the document does not identify the militias allegedly linked to Al-Shabaab or provide evidence supporting the claims.
It also does not name Laftagareen or explicitly accuse his forces of cooperating with the jihadist group.
The dispute comes after heavy fighting erupted in Baidoa on August 17 between federal government forces and fighters loyal to Laftagareen.
Somalia's Defence Ministry said government forces killed nearly 30 fighters after attackers using vehicles packed with explosives launched an early-morning assault on government positions.
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Federal troops subsequently pushed the fighters out of parts of the city following hours of fighting.
Government officials and South West authorities later accused forces aligned with Laftagareen of fighting alongside Al-Shabaab during the attack. Laftagareen's camp strongly denied the allegations.
Laftagareen has said the fighters are members of the South West Darawish forces and warned against turning a political dispute into an extension of the campaign against Al-Shabaab.
His supporters have accused Mogadishu of using military force to reshape the political leadership of South West State.
Laftagareen resigned as South West president on March 30 after federal forces took control of Baidoa. His supporters have continued to reject the authority of the administration that replaced him.
The AU's position creates a delicate distinction for AUSSOM: the mission can support Somali forces against Al-Shabaab and armed groups deemed connected to the jihadists, but must avoid taking sides in political disputes.
The document instructs AUSSOM to continue supporting Somali security forces, protect civilians and key government installations, and operate in accordance with international humanitarian law and the mission's rules of engagement.
It also calls on the mission to closely monitor the security situation in South West State and provide regular updates to the AU headquarters.
Laftagareen's camp has warned that AUSSOM involvement could undermine the mission's neutrality and further inflame the political crisis.
The competing claims over the identity and allegiance of the armed groups involved are therefore likely to remain central to the debate over AUSSOM's role as Somalia seeks to strengthen federal control over South West State.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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