Kenya and the United Nations have discussed sustained support for AUSSOM in Somalia, alongside deployment readiness and reforms to strengthen peace operations.
General Charles Kahariri met UN peace operations chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix at Defence Headquarters for talks on Somalia stabilisation and Kenya–UN defence cooperation.
The engagement reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional security, with Lacroix commending the professionalism and dedication of KDF peacekeeping personnel.
Kenya and the United Nations have held talks on sustained support for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), highlighting their shared commitment to regional stability and effective peace support operations.
Chief of the Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri met UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix at Defence Headquarters, where discussions covered Kenya–UN defence cooperation, deployment readiness and reforms to strengthen the effectiveness of peace operations.
According to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), support for AUSSOM formed a key part of the bilateral engagement. The talks placed Somalia’s stabilisation within broader efforts to strengthen operational preparedness and coordinate multilateral responses to evolving security challenges.
General Kahariri reaffirmed Kenya’s longstanding commitment to international peace and security, highlighting the KDF’s contribution to peacekeeping, capacity development and regional stabilisation.
The engagement underscored the importance of continued cooperation between Kenya and the UN in supporting peace operations. Deployment readiness and operational effectiveness were among the issues discussed as both sides reviewed their partnership.
Lacroix commended Kenya’s enduring contribution to UN peacekeeping, recognising the professionalism, dedication and resilience of KDF personnel serving in complex operational environments.
The discussions also addressed the Women, Peace and Security agenda, with General Kahariri highlighting Kenya’s leadership as Chair of the Women, Peace and Security Chiefs of Defence Network.
He emphasised the need to advance women’s meaningful participation in military operations through targeted training, mentorship and leadership development.
The meeting reaffirmed Kenya’s role in international peace operations and the importance of sustained multilateral cooperation in responding to emerging security threats.
For Somalia, the focus on AUSSOM highlighted continued attention to the mission’s support needs within wider regional stabilisation efforts. The KDF account did not announce specific new funding commitments, troop deployments or implementation timelines arising from the talks.