By HAN News Desk
NEW YORK — The United Nations Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) before it expires at the end of December, according to diplomatic sources in New York. The anticipated renewal comes at a critical time, as the mission faces mounting financial pressures that threaten its ability to support Somalia’s security transition.
Council members are also set to review the sanctions regime established under Resolution 2713 on Al-Shabaab, including the maritime arms embargo that is scheduled to expire on December 13. The discussion will examine whether existing restrictions remain sufficient in addressing the evolving threat posed by the militant group, whose activities continue to destabilise parts of southern and central Somalia.
The Security Council’s expected vote will also determine the future mandate of the Panel of Experts that supports the 2713 Sanctions Committee. The experts’ current term is due to conclude on January 13, 2026, and member states will decide whether to extend their oversight role, which includes monitoring violations, tracking maritime smuggling routes, and assessing Al-Shabaab’s financing networks.
These developments come as AUSSOM and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) face major budget shortfalls that have already begun to hinder core operations. AU and UN officials warn that the financial strain is directly affecting troop allowances, logistical support, and operational mobility—elements considered essential to stabilisation efforts in liberated areas.
African Union leaders have recently issued urgent appeals to the international community, calling for the establishment of a reliable and predictable financing mechanism for AUSSOM. They argue that without sustained support, the progress achieved against Al-Shabaab over the past decade could be reversed. AU officials caution that delayed funding could jeopardise the mission’s ability to secure recovered territories, support Somali-led operations, and protect civilian populations in areas most vulnerable to militant attacks.
“If funding gaps persist, the gains made in degrading Al-Shabaab and stabilising liberated districts could rapidly erode,” AU officials warned, stressing that such setbacks would pose severe risks to Somalia’s fragile security landscape and undermine broader peacebuilding efforts.
Countries contributing to AUSSOM’s budget and logistical support have been urged to increase their commitments to ensure the mission remains cohesive, effective, and fully resourced. Diplomats say adequate financing is crucial not only for AUSSOM’s operational capacity but also for helping Somalia transition towards full security responsibility in the coming years.
As the end-of-year deadlines for both AUSSOM’s mandate and the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime approach, negotiations among Security Council members are expected to intensify. Observers say the decisions made in New York over the next several days will have significant implications for Somalia’s stability and the regional fight against violent extremism.
