African leaders meeting in Uganda's capital, Kampala, discussed the future of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as concerns grow over how to finance the operation that has supported Somalia's fight against the militant group Al-Shabaab for nearly two decades.

Leaders said preserving the gains made against Al-Shabaab will require stronger political commitment and more reliable funding as Somalia gradually takes greater responsibility for its own security.

The discussions come as the United States (US) is hesitant to commit additional funding, while European partners are facing growing financial pressure.

The leaders agreed Africa must play a bigger role in financing and sustaining the mission to ensure it remains operational.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Somalia would not be abandoned, despite potential funding withdrawals by external partners, insisting that the country has the capacity to manage its own security challenges.

Uganda has contributed troops to peacekeeping operations in Somalia since 2007 and remains one of the mission's largest troop-contributing countries.

The summit reaffirmed support for Somalia's security transition while calling for predictable and sustainable backing from international partners.

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Africa remains committed to Somalia and determined to preserve the gains achieved by AUSSOM through an orderly transition based on realities on the ground.

The leaders' recommendations will now be submitted to the African Union Peace and Security Council before being considered by the United Nations Security Council.