The Uganda People's Defence Forces has begun pulling its bilaterally deployed troops out of Somalia, effective immediately. The withdrawal covers soldiers stationed in the country under a direct arrangement between Uganda and Somalia's Federal Government, separate from any multilateral peacekeeping structure.
The UPDF confirmed the drawdown is already underway, with Kampala initiating the process without delay. No timeline for full completion has been specified in the announcement.
This development marks a significant shift in the security landscape of the Horn of Africa, where Uganda has long maintained a military presence. How this affects Somalia's broader stability, and who steps in to fill any resulting gaps, remains the question everyone is watching.
Originally published by AllAfrica.