Impact of EU funding dynamics on AMISOM

The report analyzes the ramifications of the EU's January 2016 decision to reduce AMISOM peacekeeper allowances by 20%, from US$1,028 to US$822 per month. This move triggered a rift between the African Union (AU), troop-contributing countries (TCCs), and donors, while accelerating the development of a concrete exit strategy for the mission. The EU's decision was driven by donor fatigue, shifting priorities toward the Sahel region, and internal regulations regarding the use of the African Peace Facility. TCCs, particularly Uganda and Kenya, initially threatened withdrawal, though national security interests and the desire for regional stability largely prevailed. The report highlights a critical gap between donor expectations for AMISOM to 'do more' against al-Shabaab and the TCCs' claims of severe under-resourcing and a lack of local Somali security capacity to hold liberated territory.

• In January 2016, the European Union implemented a 20% reduction in monthly peacekeeper allowances for AMISOM, lowering the rate from US$1,028 to US$822.
• The EU's decision to cap funding was influenced by 'donor fatigue' and a shift in priorities toward other African crises, such as the G5 Sahel mission and the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin.
• The funding rift accelerated the creation of a formal exit strategy, with a tentative plan for a drawdown starting in October 2018 and a full pullout by 2020.
• Troop-contributing countries (TCCs)—Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda—reacted negatively to the cap, with Uganda initially stating it would abandon the mission by December 2017.
• Ethiopia conducted several troop withdrawals from towns in Bakool, Hiiraan, and Galgaduud between October 2016 and March 2017, which resulted in al-Shabaab immediately retaking those areas.
• There is a significant disconnect between donors, who perceive AMISOM as stagnant, and TCCs, who argue that a lack of force multipliers and equipment, such as attack helicopters and serviceable armoured personnel carriers, hinders progress.
• The stability of Somalia is heavily dependent on the development of the Somali National Army (SNA), but progress is stalled by clan-based structures, uncoordinated training, and irregular payments.
• The EU's use of the African Peace Facility (APF) for peacekeeping is contentious because the funds originate from the European Development Fund, which is intended for development initiatives.
• Burundi's participation in AMISOM was uniquely strained when EU sanctions over President Pierre Nkurunziza's third term prevented direct payments to the government, leading to a near-withdrawal in January 2017.

APA

Mahmood, O. S., & Ani, N. C. (2017). Impact of EU funding dynamics on AMISOM. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear16.pdf

Chicago

Mahmood, Omar S, and Ndubuisi Christian Ani. Impact of EU funding dynamics on AMISOM. Institute for Security Studies, 2017. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear16.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mahmood |first1=Omar S |last2=Ani |first2=Ndubuisi Christian |title=Impact of EU funding dynamics on AMISOM |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=December 2017 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear16.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mahmood2017impact, author = {Mahmood, Omar S and Ani, Ndubuisi Christian}, title = {{Impact of EU funding dynamics on AMISOM}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2017}, month = dec, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear16.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }