The United States has extended its support for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) by 12 months, allowing the office to continue providing logistical support to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). This development gives Somalia and its partners more time to address a significant funding gap facing the mission and seek alternative sources of support. The UNSOS will continue to provide essential services including food, water, fuel, medical support and transportation for troops operating in Somalia.
The extension comes as a relief to Somalia, which has faced persistent political and security instability since 1991. The country continues to grapple with the threat of al-Shabaab, which holds significant rural areas and launches attacks on security forces and civilians. AUSSOM plays a key role in supporting Somali security forces in the fight against al-Shabaab and helping the government maintain security in areas affected by the insurgency.
Kenya is among the countries contributing troops to the mission, with Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops operating alongside forces from other African countries. Kenyan troops have continued preparing for deployments, with the KDF conducting specialised exercises as recently as June focused on combat readiness, force protection and coordination with multinational partners.
The U.S. government said it would support the drawdown before the UN office is ultimately closed, while the U.S. State Department maintained that it would no longer fund or support UNSOS after the process. The U.S. had previously opposed a proposed arrangement under which UN funding would cover most of AUSSOM’s annual budget of about Ksh24.57 billion ($190 million).
Afyare Elmi, a professor at the City University of Mogadishu, warned that the withdrawal of AUSSOM could have serious consequences for Somalia's stability. “AUSSOM is a key pillar of Somalia’s state. Without it, the country would face a real risk of state fragmentation and disintegration,” he said.
The additional time gives Somalia, the African Union and other partners a window to seek alternative funding and logistical arrangements. Discussions on the mission’s financing and operations are expected to continue at the UN Security Council in December. Somalia has registered 1.5 million citizens under a national ID system, a development that could enhance the country's security and stability.
The drawdown of UNSOS support is set to begin in January 2027 and will be completed over a 12-month period. The US approval for the extension allows for an orderly transition and provides time for Somalia and its partners to plan for the future of the mission.
Key points
- The US has extended its support for the UN mission in Somalia by 12 months.
- The mission's annual budget is about Ksh24.57 billion ($190 million).
- The withdrawal of AUSSOM could have serious consequences for Somalia's stability.
