UNITED NATIONS: Somalia has asked the United Nations to end its political mission that has been present in the country for more than a decade when its mandate expires in October, according to a letter seen Thursday by AFP.
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seeking to transition towards the next phase of partnership as the nation grapples with chronic instability.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), established in 2013 by the UN Security Council, has played a crucial role in supporting Somali authorities in their efforts to transition towards democracy and the rule of law following decades of conflict involving militias and criminal organizations.
In a letter addressed to the Security Council and seen by AFP on Thursday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi underscored the achievements of UNSOM in promoting peace, stability, and development in the country. However, he emphasized the need to align strategic priorities and transition towards sustaining peace and prosperity independently.
“We are confident that the achievement and lessons learned during the mission’s presence will continue to guide our efforts towards sustaining peace and prosperity,” Fiqi stated, signaling Somalia’s readiness to assume greater responsibility for its governance and security.
The decision to request the termination of UNSOM’s mandate comes as Somalia seeks to assert its sovereignty and chart its own course towards stability and progress. While acknowledging the valuable contributions of UNSOM, Somali authorities are keen to assert greater ownership over their national affairs.
The Security Council, in renewing UNSOM’s mandate last October, had emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening the mission’s presence across Somalia, particularly in light of ongoing humanitarian concerns. However, with the mandate set to expire in October, Somalia’s call for termination reflects a desire to recalibrate the nature of its partnership with the United Nations.
The move also reflects broader trends across Africa, where several countries have expressed growing hostility towards UN missions in recent years. From Mali to Sudan, host countries have sought to assert greater control over their domestic affairs, leading to the departure or termination of UN missions.
