Mogadishu requests UN Mission termination as Somalia transitions to next phase

Mogadishu has formally requested the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to terminate its operations in the country following the end of its mandate in October this year.

In a letter addressed to the President of the UN Security Council Pedro Comissario Afonso and copied to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on May 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said successful collaboration between the agency and the government over the years played a crucial role in promoting peace, stability and development in the country.

However, going forward, the Somali Government will no longer request a mandate renewal of resolution 2705 (2023).

"As a result of the successful collaboration between the Government of Somalia and the United Nations Mission, we believe that it is now appropriate to transition to the next phase of our partnership. We are confident that the achievements and lessons learned during the mission's presence will continue to guide our efforts towards sustaining peace and prosperity," the letter signed by Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation states.

It further called for the swift conclusion of the necessary procedures for the termination of the mission at the scheduled time.

The mission's mandate was extended to October 31 last year by the United Nations Security Council with instructions to protect civilians and communities in areas of military operations and cooperate with both the government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Troops drawdown 

On Thursday, UNSOM issued an end-of-mission statement written by an independent expert on the situation in the country, Isha Dyfan, who strongly condemned the continued deadly attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab and urged the Government to take all steps to ensure the protection of civilians, and armed groups to comply strictly with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian and human rights law.

She further noted that as of April 30, 2024, the first two phases of the ATMIS troops drawdown were completed with the withdrawal of 3,000 troops and the handing over of seven Operating Bases.

"The modalities of the third phase that is scheduled to be completed by June 2024 with the withdrawal of 4,000 troops are being discussed," she added.

A proposed meeting between the government, the African Union and the UN is expected this month to guide the way forward.

Last month, the African Union Peace and Security Council consented to Somalia's request for a new security arrangement after the full withdrawal of ATMIS troops in December this year.

A communique from the council noted that the AU/UN-authorised peace support operation will commence its operations in January 2025.

The council notes that the post-ATMIS mission will help continue with capacity-building efforts of the Somali security forces to avoid a security vacuum in the country post-ATMIS.

At the same time, the team will help sustain the progress made in the fight against Al-Shabaab by the Somali government and the existing ATMIS troops.

Consequently, the council requested the AU Commission to undertake a comprehensive threat assessment and planning ahead of the troops' deployment.

This is to be done in consultation with the Somalia government, ATMIS troops contributing countries and the UN.

In March, Somalia National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh-Ali said the African Union and the United Nations have agreed to have the "lean" multinational forces of an estimated 3,000 to 8,000 soldiers who will work closely with an equal number of Somali forces before they gradually take over from them within a year or so.

"The mandate of the new forces will be to protect key infrastructure within Somalia, and areas where Somali security forces would use as logistical hubs and also where international agencies and foreign embassies are based," he said at the time.

Alongside military operations, the new mission is expected to offer other stability operations that are of benefit to the people.