By HAN News Desk
NEW YORK – The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote Thursday on a resolution to extend the African Union–led AUSSOM mission in Somalia for one year, through Dec. 31, 2026, as the country continues to face persistent security threats from Al-Shabaab militants.
The resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom, would maintain a total of 11,826 troops and police in Somalia, including 680 police officers. It stresses the importance of sustained international support and funding to strengthen Somali security forces, enhance operational capacity, and ensure the continued fight against Al-Shabaab.
The text also calls for joint assessments by the UN, the African Union, and the Somali government to accelerate the transfer of security responsibilities to national forces. Officials have said this step is crucial to ensuring Somalia can gradually take full ownership of its security operations while international support scales down in a coordinated manner.
The resolution addresses the future of the UN Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), which has faced debate over its continued presence in Mogadishu. The final draft confirms that UNTMIS will close on Oct. 31, 2026. Somalia and other African nations had opposed an extension of the UN office, citing progress made by Somali forces and the need for national ownership of security.
Analysts say the resolution comes at a critical time, as Somalia’s security forces continue to face attacks from Al-Shabaab, which has retained the ability to carry out complex attacks in urban areas and strategic towns. “This vote will determine the pace of Somalia’s security transition over the next two years,” said a UN official familiar with the resolution, speaking on condition of anonymity.
If approved, the one-year extension would allow AUSSOM to continue providing training, operational support, and coordination with Somali forces while gradually transferring responsibilities to national authorities, marking a key milestone in Somalia’s ongoing security transition.
