By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU – Somali federal government, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) have jointly appealed for urgent donor contributions to sustain support for Somali Security Forces.
The appeal was made during a Somali Security Forces (SSF) Trust Fund event held in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Somalia’s National Security Advisor, senior officials from AUSSOM and UNSOS, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and the Officer-in-Charge of UNSOS, as well as ambassadors and representatives from the diplomatic community. Senior officials from the Somali National Armed Forces, Somali Police Force, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Security, and the Office of National Security were also present.
Participants reaffirmed the critical role of the SSF Trust Fund in sustaining Somali-led security operations and underscored the urgent need for voluntary contributions to maintain operational continuity.
Officials said maintaining the minimum life-support package for Somali forces including 540 metric tonnes of rations, 180,000 litres of fuel, and 24-hour air medical evacuation services requires approximately $1.2 million per month. Full mandated support costs about $2.3 million per month.
Through the SSF Trust Fund, UNSOS provides logistical and operational support to Somali Security Forces conducting joint or coordinated operations with AUSSOM. Mandated assistance includes rations, fuel, medical evacuations, transportation, communications equipment, defence stores, and tentage for forward operating bases.
UNSOS noted that much of this support is increasingly procured from Somali suppliers, contributing to the local economy and strengthening national ownership of security efforts.
Anchored in the tripartite partnership between the FGS, AUSSOM and UNSOS, the SSF Trust Fund remains a vital mechanism for delivering essential life-support to Somali forces in line with national priorities.
Speakers at the event expressed deep appreciation to existing donors and partners, while stressing the need for swift action to sustain operations. Continued support, they said, is critical to protecting Somali forces on the frontlines and preserving hard-won gains in peace and stability.
Countries and partners supporting Somalia include the United Kingdom, United States, Sweden, Djibouti, Ethiopia, the European Union, Italy, Kenya, Qatar, Türkiye, Uganda, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, France, Russia, Denmark, and Japan.
