The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) faces a potential closure by December 31, a move that threatens to dismantle the logistical backbone of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The Logistical Crisis Facing AUSSOM
AUSSOM, which launched on January 1, 2025, relies entirely on UNSOS for transport, engineering, and essential supplies. Without this support, the mission faces an unsustainable future. Acting Head of UNSOS Qurat ul Ain Sadozai warned staff during a Mogadishu town hall that the office is currently planning for scenarios that include a total shutdown within five months. Such an outcome would effectively terminate the AUSSOM mandate three years ahead of its 2029 expiration date.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, Atul Khare, has acknowledged the severity of the situation. While he has urged staff to remain hopeful, he conceded that the loss of UNSOS would make it nearly impossible to sustain the current force of 11,826 soldiers, 680 police officers, and 85 civilian personnel.
Did you know?
The United States has provided nearly $2 billion in assessed contributions to UNSOS and its predecessor agencies since 2007. Washington currently covers approximately 26 percent of the UNSOS budget.
US Policy Shifts and Funding Hurdles
The funding impasse stems from a July 1 diplomatic note in which the United States indicated it would block Security Council efforts to finance UNSOS beyond the current AU mission mandate. Washington’s stance is rooted in frustration over the pace of security reforms in Somalia. In its communication, the US stated that despite over a decade of international assistance, Somalia has struggled to sustain progress against Al-Shabaab or achieve necessary governance reforms, noting that internal rivalries continue to undermine security operations.
UN diplomats suggest that because the US position represents one member of the Security Council, a final decision remains subject to broader negotiations. However, internal morale in Mogadishu remains low, with staff drawing parallels to the 2023 collapse of the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA). That closure forced the abrupt repatriation of 13,000 peacekeepers and left thousands of civilian staff unemployed.
Alternative Funding and Restructuring Proposals
In response to the looming deadline, the African Union is exploring several contingency plans. During an emergency meeting on July 3, defense attachés discussed the possibility of transitioning AUSSOM from a UN Chapter VII framework to a fully regional mission authorized and supported by the AU.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has urged member states to accelerate the implementation of the AU Peace Fund and the 0.2 percent import levy, which was designed to finance 25 percent of such operations. Currently, 26 member states have yet to fully integrate this levy into their domestic laws. Other proposals include a decentralized model where individual troop-contributing countries provide their own logistical support, though officials in Addis Ababa and New York have yet to identify a viable financing source for this transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the UN Support Office in Somalia at risk of closing?
The office faces closure because the United States, which provides 26 percent of its budget, has signaled it will oppose further UN funding once the current AU mission mandate expires at the end of 2026.
What happens if UNSOS shuts down?
Without the logistical support provided by UNSOS—including transport, engineering, and supply chains—the 11,826-strong African Union peace mission would likely become unsustainable, potentially forcing an early withdrawal of troops.
Is there a backup plan for the AU peace mission?
The AU is considering restructuring the mission into a regional, AU-led initiative or asking troop-contributing nations to provide their own logistics, though neither plan currently has secured funding.
How does this impact the fight against Al-Shabaab?
Security officials warn that the withdrawal of AU peacekeepers would create a security vacuum, potentially allowing Al-Shabaab to expand its influence in regions currently stabilized by the mission.