African Union calls emergency meeting as US ends funding for Somali army
The African Union called an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia on Friday after Washington said it would end critical funding, citing a lack of progress against Islamist insurgents. According to AllAfrica, the decision raises questions over how the mission will be sustained. The AU is weighing alternative financing.

The African Union called an emergency meeting on Friday over its military mission in Somalia. According to AllAfrica, the call came after Washington announced it would end critical funding for the mission, citing insufficient progress against armed groups.
The African Union mission has provided security support to Somalia's government for years and relies heavily on outside financing. The US decision to cut funding has raised questions over how the mission can be sustained.
The bloc said it is weighing alternative sources of financing. Analysts say the funding gap could strain security operations in the short term. Decisions emerging from the meeting will be watched closely for their bearing on the region's security balance.
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