MOGADISHU – The Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) has met with the British Ambassador to Somalia in Mogadishu for high-level talks focused on strengthening international support to Somalia’s security sector and reviewing the Somalia Security Forces (SSF) Trust Fund.
The discussions came at a critical time as Somalia continues to expand responsibility for national security operations, gradually taking over duties previously supported by international partners under the United Nations framework and African Union transition arrangements.
Officials said the meeting assessed current cooperation mechanisms, particularly the logistical, operational, and technical assistance provided by UNSOS to Somali security forces and international missions operating in the country. This includes support in areas such as transport, medical evacuation, engineering services, communications, and supply chain coordination.
A central focus of the talks was the SSF Trust Fund, a multi-donor financing mechanism designed to support the development and operational capacity of Somali security institutions. The fund is used to enhance training programs, improve force readiness, strengthen command structures, and support long-term institutional reform within Somalia’s security sector.
UN officials stressed the importance of ensuring predictable and sustained contributions from international partners, warning that gaps in funding could affect ongoing stabilization efforts and slow down security transition plans.
Marwo Sadozai, speaking during the meeting, expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom for its continued financial and technical support to the trust fund. She noted that UK contributions have been instrumental in sustaining key security programs and reinforcing Somalia’s efforts to build a professional and self-reliant security force.
She also underscored that Somalia’s security transition process requires long-term commitment from international partners, particularly as national institutions continue to expand their operational capacity in the face of persistent threats from armed groups and other security challenges.
The British Ambassador reaffirmed London’s commitment to Somalia’s peacebuilding agenda, highlighting the importance of coordinated international engagement through multilateral funding structures such as the SSF Trust Fund. The UK, he said, remains committed to supporting reforms aimed at strengthening accountability, professionalism, and effectiveness within Somalia’s security institutions.
Diplomatic sources say the meeting also touched on broader regional security dynamics in the Horn of Africa, including cross-border threats, counter-terrorism cooperation, and the need for enhanced intelligence sharing among partners.
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia continues to play a central role in enabling peacekeeping and security operations, working closely with Somali authorities and international partners to ensure stability as the country advances its transition plan.
The meeting forms part of ongoing diplomatic and technical engagement between Somalia, the United Nations, and key international partners aimed at consolidating gains in security, governance, and institutional development.
