Hope rises for an enduring peace in Somalia as Uganda troops have formally commenced the withdrawal of their troops from the country 20 years after hostilities began.

The exercise will end in 2027, and it will include troops serving under the African Union mission.

The first group of soldiers are already returning home, according to the country’s military has leadership.

Uganda, under Gen. Yoweri Museveni, was the first African country to deploy forces to Somalia in 2007 under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), that helped the government forces to push the terrorist al-Shabaab militants out of Mogadishu and other strategic areas.

To enable Somalia assume full responsibility for its security matters, the Ugandan army spokesperson Chris Magezi explained, the decision materialized following talks between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

According to report, an attempt made by Somalia to ask for an extension failed when the two leaders met. However, the rejection is unconnected with the African Union’s (AU) current mission faces especially in the area of future funding and ongoing efforts to build up Somalia’s security forces.