AU Authorizes AUSSOM Combat Operations Against Al-Shabaab, Orders Neutrality in Baidoa Political Crisis

Garowe Online reported on August 28, 2026 that an African Union memorandum dated August 21 authorized AUSSOM to conduct combat operations against Al-Shabaab while explicitly instructing the mission to 'maintain political neutrality and impartiality and to steer clear of any political fighting' — a direct reference to the standoff between Mogadishu and forces loyal to former Southwest State president Laftagareen following the August 17 VBIED assault on Baidoa. Somalia's federal government has accused Laftagareen's fighters of 'cooperating with Al-Shabaab' during that attack; Laftagareen denied the allegation as 'untrue' in a BBC interview. The memo puts AUSSOM in a difficult position as it seeks to intensify counter-Al-Shabaab operations without being drawn into an intra-Somali political dispute over South West State's leadership.