The United States has given the United Nations 12 months to wind down its support for the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, extending the timeline for a withdrawal that could have begun at the end of this year.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to Reuters , the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) will continue providing logistical support to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) during a 12-month drawdown period starting in January 2027.

The extension gives Somalia and its partners more time to address a significant funding gap facing the mission and seek alternative sources of support.

Afyare Elmi, a professor at the City University of Mogadishu, warned that the withdrawal of AUSSOM could have serious consequences for Somalia's stability.

📌 What You Need to Know

“AUSSOM is a key pillar of Somalia’s state. Without it, the country would face a real risk of state fragmentation and disintegration,” he said.

AUSSOM plays a key role in supporting Somali security forces in the fight against al-Shabaab and helping the government maintain security in areas affected by the insurgency.

Kenya is among the countries contributing troops to the mission, with Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops operating alongside forces from other African countries.

Kenyan troops have continued preparing for deployments, with the KDF conducting specialised exercises as recently as June focused on combat readiness, force protection and coordination with multinational partners.

The U.S. government said it would support the drawdown before the UN office is ultimately closed, while the U.S. State Department maintained that it would no longer fund or support UNSOS after the process.

UNSOS provides AUSSOM with essential services including food, water, fuel, medical support and transportation for troops operating in Somalia.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke