UN to continue supporting Somalia after closure of transitional mission
The United Nations (UN) has pledged to continue supporting Somalia through its agencies and international partners following the closure of its transitional mission in the country. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the organisation would maintain its presence in Somalia through its resident agencies, funds and programmes, working with the country’s authorities and the African Union […]
The United Nations (UN) has committed to supporting Somalia through its agencies and partners after closing its transitional mission in the country. UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Saturday, October 31, the same day as the closure of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which had been operating for over two decades.
Guterres stated that the UN would continue to work with Somali authorities, the African Union, and other international partners to promote peace, stability, human rights, and sustainable development. He praised the progress Somalia had made despite numerous challenges and expressed gratitude to the personnel who served in UNTMIS and its predecessor missions.
The UN chief acknowledged that significant challenges remained, including political, security, humanitarian, and development issues, calling for sustained international support to consolidate progress and advance inclusive dialogue and reconciliation. The closure of UNTMIS follows a two-year transition process initiated in November 2024, as requested by Somalia's federal government to transfer greater responsibility to local institutions.
The UN functions have been transferred to Somali institutions, while the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), with Kenyan troops, will continue its operations under a separate mandate until December 31, 2026.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
