5 days ago
US Gives UN More Time to Wind Down Somalia Support
The United States has agreed to give the UN one more year to reduce its support for peacekeepers in Somalia.
These peacekeepers help Somalia’s government fight militants linked to al Qaeda.
They receive important supplies and services from a UN office.
The supplies include food, water, fuel, medical care and transportation.
The extra year gives Somalia and its partners more time to find other funding.
However, the United States says it will stop funding and supporting the UN office after the drawdown.
Experts warn that the peacekeeping mission could shrink greatly or end without new support.
They say this could make Somalia’s government weaker and increase fighting and political instability.
The United States agreed to give the UN another year to wind down support for African Union peacekeepers in Somalia.
The 12-month drawdown is expected to begin in January, after the UN Support Office in Somalia’s current mandate expires.
Washington said it will no longer fund or support the UN office, whose budget is about $500 million.
The peacekeepers depend on UN assistance for food, water, fuel, medical services and troop transportation.
Analysts warned that losing the mission could weaken Somalia’s government and increase the risk of state fragmentation.
- Who
- The United States, the United Nations, the African Union and Somalia’s government are involved.
- What
- The United States agreed to support a 12-month drawdown before the UN Support Office in Somalia is liquidated.
- Where
- Somalia, particularly the UN Support Office supporting the African Union mission there.
- When
- The new 12-month countdown is expected to start in January; the current mandate expires at the end of December.
- Why
- Washington said it would no longer fund or support the UN office, while Somalia and its partners need time to find alternative backing.
US position
Mission supporters’ concerns
Future of UN support
US position
The United States says it will no longer fund or support the UN Support Office in Somalia and supports a 12-month drawdown followed by liquidation.
Mission supporters’ concerns
Analysts and Somali officials say the African Union mission depends heavily on UN logistical support and could be forced to draw down or exit without alternative arrangements.
Security consequences
US position
Washington’s decision creates a transition period for Somalia and its partners to seek other backers.
Mission supporters’ concerns
Experts warn that weakening or ending the mission could undermine Somalia’s government, increase political turmoil and create a risk of state fragmentation.
Long-term financing
US position
The United States previously blocked a proposal under which UN funds would cover three-quarters of the mission’s $190 million annual budget.
Mission supporters’ concerns
Supporters of the mission argue that its increasingly precarious financing and existing funding shortfall threaten its ability to operate.
Key facts
- Mission
- AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia
- UN office
- UN Support Office in Somalia
- Drawdown period
- 12 months, expected to begin in January
- UN office budget
- Approximately $500 million
- Mission budget
- Approximately $190 million annually
- UN support
- Logistics including food, water, fuel, medical services and troop transportation
- Main concern
- Analysts warned of mission collapse, government weakening and possible state fragmentation
Quotes
US State Department spokesperson
A spokesperson for the United States State Department commenting on the drawdown process
“We would expect any drawdown processes and timelines to be discussed during UN Security Council deliberations in December”
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“The AU either (needs) to find alternative logistics arrangements or to draw down and exit”
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Afyare Elmi
Professor at the City University of Mogadishu
“AUSSOM is a key pillar of Somalia’s state. Without it, the country would face a real risk of state fragmentation and disintegration.”
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