Somalia unexpectedly requests that the UN terminate its political mission.

 


The Foreign Minister penned a letter to the Security Council, urging the conclusion of a decade-long UN political mission aiding Somalia in peacebuilding, security reforms, and democracy. Reuters was informed by three unnamed UN sources that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), consisting of 360 members, was surprised by the request to depart upon the expiration of its mandate in October.

Despite enduring hostility since 1991, including a twenty-year insurgency by Al Qaeda-affiliated militants, Somali authorities have endeavored to restore services and provide some level of security. Nevertheless, the Horn of Africa nation, home to 17 million people, remains one of the most perilous and impoverished in the world.

In addition to the political initiative, there exists a UN-mandated African Union peacekeeping mission, set to conclude this year and involving a minimum of 10,000 troops. The authenticity of the May 5 letter, which gained traction on social media on Thursday, was verified by the three UN representatives. Requests for comment from Somali authorities were left unanswered.

The government believes "it is now appropriate to transition to the next phase of our partnership," although Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Moalin Fiqi did not offer explanations in the correspondence. A Somali presidential adviser authenticated the letter, asserting that Somalia no longer requires UN aid to engage with the international community as it did under UNSOM.

The adviser remarked, "UNSOM played a pivotal role, but its utility has expired," citing the mission's annual cost of $100 million. Somalia expert and co-founder of the Sahan think tank, Matt Bryden, highlighted the federal government's accusations of UNSOM's interference in internal affairs.

While UNSOM endeavored to reconcile the federal government's objectives with individual states' aspirations for greater autonomy, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pursued centralization of power through constitutional amendments and other reforms, Bryden noted.

"We should anticipate more assertive and independent initiatives from the federal government of Somalia regarding constitutional amendments, federalism, and elections," Bryden added.

According to UNSOM's statement to Reuters, Somalia's request signifies "the mission's support of Somali authorities over the years." Established in 2013, UNSOM stated that other UN entities, particularly humanitarian organizations, will continue operations in Somalia.

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