NEW YORK, United States – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted a resolution extending the authorization of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) for an additional year. The resolution, submitted by the United Kingdom, secures the mission’s mandate until December 31, 2026, while simultaneously establishing a definitive timeline for the conclusion of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which is set to cease all operations by October 31, 2026.
In a show of full consensus, all 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution on Tuesday, signaling strong international backing for Somalia’s security transition plan. The decision reflects the global community’s commitment to ensuring a responsible and conditions-based transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali National Army.
Following the vote, Archie Young, the United Kingdom’s Deputy Envoy to the UN, welcomed the adoption of the resolution. He described AUSSOM’s role as essential for strengthening stability and security in Somalia as the country continues its fight against insurgency. Ambassador Young addressed the practical challenges facing the mission, noting that the resolution remains realistic about the resource constraints involved.
“The resolution we have adopted today is clear-eyed about the challenges of the underfunding of AUSSOM and UNSOS’s (UN Support Office in Somalia) liquidity shortfall,” Young stated. He added that the renewed mandate creates a formal process to enable an informed review of the logistical support provided by the United Nations, ensuring that resources are optimized for the mission’s critical needs.
The UK Deputy Envoy emphasized the importance of situational awareness in future deliberations. He remarked that to ensure support to Somalia remains targeted and effective, the Council’s decision-making must continue to be informed by a comprehensive understanding of the national context into which AUSSOM is deployed.
This diplomatic development comes amidst intensified military pressure on the ground. Since July, the Somali National Army, supported by AUSSOM and other international partners, has stepped up its operations against Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group operating in southern and central Somalia. The joint forces have made significant gains, reclaiming territory and disrupting the logistical networks of the insurgents.
Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the Federal Government of Somalia for over 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, government officials, and civilians. The extension of the AUSSOM mandate is designed to prevent security vacuums and maintain momentum against the group as Somalia prepares to assume full security responsibility by the end of 2026.
