2007 – African Union Force Deployed in Somalia

On June 8, 2007, African Union (AU) troops began their deployment in Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of a peacekeeping mission known as AMISOM. While not a singular Black American event, it represents a significant chapter in Pan-African military cooperation and crisis response. Comprised largely of troops from Uganda, Burundi, and Ethiopia, the mission aimed to stabilize Somalia amid civil conflict and to support the internationally recognized government. This deployment marked a turning point in African-led efforts to maintain peace on the continent without sole reliance on Western powers. The mission would grow to include over 22,000 personnel and contribute to temporary stabilization. June 8 represents a moment when African leadership took the reins in protecting its own sovereignty through coalition.