The UN Security Council has commenced a two-year withdrawal of its political mission in Somalia, following a request from the Somali government.
In May, Somalia sought the termination of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) as its mandate was set to expire in late October. However, in August, the government modified its request, proposing instead a transitional period of two years.
In a resolution unanimously adopted on Wednesday, the Security Council approved this transition, establishing October 31, 2026, as the new conclusion date for the mission, which will now be referred to as the United Nations Transition Assistance Mission in Somalia.
During the first year of this transition, the mission will prioritize support for the electoral process and the protection of human rights. It is anticipated that by the end of this initial year, some responsibilities will have been transferred to the Somali authorities. UNSOM was established in June 2013 by the Security Council to assist the country in its transition towards democracy and the rule of law after more than two decades of conflict.
