World · Africa · 9 hrs ago
UN ends its political mission in Somalia after more than three decades
The UN has closed its political mission in Somalia after more than three decades of work supporting the country’s recovery.
The mission began in 1995 and later became the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia, or UNTMIS.
Somalia’s government requested its withdrawal in 2024, then agreed with the UN on a two-year transition.
Its responsibilities have been transferred to Somali institutions and UN bodies.
The closure comes as al-Shabab continues to fight government forces and control areas of central Somalia.
Political divisions also threaten elections due next May, and no replacement has been agreed for the mission’s role in mediating between rival leaders.
UN humanitarian and development agencies remain in Somalia, but international aid and military support face uncertainty.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) ceased operations on Saturday after a two-year transition.
Its closure ended more than three decades of UN political engagement in Somalia.
The mission’s responsibilities have been transferred to Somali institutions, UN agencies and other UN bodies.
Somalia’s government requested the mission’s withdrawal in 2024, then proposed a two-year transition.
The closure comes as Somalia faces continuing violence, political divisions and shrinking international support.
- Who
- The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS).
- What
- The UN ended its political mission in Somalia after a two-year transition.
- When
- Saturday, October 30, 2026, according to The Hindu; Al Jazeera says Saturday.
- Where
- Somalia.
- Why
- The Somali government requested the mission’s withdrawal in 2024 and later proposed a two-year transition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) began.
The UN Security Council established UNSOM.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asked the UN to end the mission; he later proposed a two-year transition.
Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama hailed the closure at a farewell ceremony in Mogadishu.
UNTMIS ceased operations after the two-year transition.
- Mission name
- UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS)
- Transition length
- Two years
- Initial political office
- UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), established in 1995
- UNSOM established
- 2013
- Government withdrawal request
- 2024
- Transferred responsibilities
- Somali institutions, UN agencies and the UN office supporting African Union troops
3 sources
What people are saying
Today is not an end to the partnership between the United Nations and Somalia-rather, it marks the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another
day of victory