The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) ceased operations on October 31, after completing a two-year transition of its responsibilities to Somali institutions and other UN bodies. This move follows a request from Somalia's federal government and a decision by the UN Security Council. The Somali government views the withdrawal as a step towards greater national ownership of the country's political and state-building affairs.
Somalia's central government collapsed in 1991 after the overthrow of President Mohamed Siad Barre, leading to years of conflict and widespread hunger. In 1992, the United States launched Operation Restore Hope to secure humanitarian relief deliveries. A year later, 18 US soldiers were killed during the Battle of Mogadishu. UN peacekeepers withdrew in 1995 without securing a lasting political settlement. The organisation subsequently maintained a civilian political presence aimed at supporting reconciliation and state-building.
Over the following decades, successive UN missions supported political negotiations, elections, justice institutions, and regional administrations. A significant milestone came in 2012, when Somalia ended its formal transitional period, adopted a provisional constitution, established a new federal parliament, and elected a president. The UN says its decades of engagement helped support peacebuilding, governance, and reconciliation, while strengthening Somali institutions.
Despite progress, major challenges remain. Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, continues to control territory and carry out attacks, including in Mogadishu. The country faces severe humanitarian pressures, including drought, flooding, displacement, and declining humanitarian funding, which have compounded food insecurity. A dispute over the length of the mandates of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and parliament has contributed to tensions in Mogadishu.
The dispute centres on constitutional changes extending the president's and parliament's terms from four years to five. The government argues that the changes allow the current president and lawmakers to remain in office until 2027, while opposition groups reject this interpretation. Talks supported by the UN mission in July failed to produce an agreement. The opposition Somali Future Council has called for an international mediation mechanism after the UN mission closes.
The closure of UNTMIS does not represent the end of the UN's involvement in Somalia. Under the transition plan, functions previously carried out by UNTMIS have been transferred to Somali institutions and the UN Country Team. The African Union's security mission will continue working alongside Somali forces, with logistical support from the United Nations. President Mohamud has invited political leaders to talks on elections in November.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has acknowledged that significant challenges remain and called for continued international support, inclusive political dialogue, and reconciliation. For the UN, the closure marks a transition towards greater Somali ownership of peacebuilding and state-building. For Somalia's political leaders, it means assuming greater responsibility for resolving disputes at a time when the country's political settlement remains contested.
Key points
- The UN mission in Somalia is closing after three decades, with responsibilities transferred to Somali institutions and other UN bodies.
- A dispute over the mandates of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and parliament has contributed to tensions in Mogadishu.
- The UN will continue to support Somalia through its agencies, funds, and programmes, and the African Union's security mission will continue working alongside Somali forces.
