UN Security Council extends mandate of peacekeeping force in Somalia

Illustration of AUSSOM. (Wikimedia Commons/Atmis Somalia)

JAKARTA - The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for the next year.

The resolution proposed by the United Kingdom and received the full support of 15 council members, will extend the mandate of AUSSOM until December 31, 2026.

In addition, council members also decided to stop all operations of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) starting October 31, 2026.

Speaking after the vote, Britain's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Archie Young welcomed the adoption and described the mission's role as "critical" to "strengthening stability and security in Somalia."

"The resolution we have adopted today is very clear regarding the challenges of the lack of funding for AUSSOM and the lack of liquidity for UNSOS (United Nations Support Office in Somalia)," he said, adding that the mandate "creates a process to allow an informed review of logistical support provided by the United Nations," Anadolu (24/12) reported.

Young also said, "to ensure its support to Somalia remains targeted and effective, the council's decision-making must continue to be based on a comprehensive understanding of the national context in which AUSSOM is placed."

It is known that Somali soldiers, with the support of AUSSOM and other international partners, have stepped up operations against al-Shabaab, a terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaeda in southern and central Somalia, since July.

Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, often targets security forces, officials, and civilians.