Somali government asks UNSOM termination its mandate

Somali government asks UNSOM termination its mandate

Somalia’s government has requested the termination of a U.N. political mission that has advised it on peace-building, security reforms and democracy for over a decade, according to a letter the foreign minister wrote to the Security Council.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Moalim Fiqi stated in a statement released on Thursday that the government requests the swift conclusion of the necessary procedures for the termination of the Mission by the end of the mandate in October 2024, and the government will no longer seek 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 statement reads.

A Somali presidential adviser confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said Somalia no longer needed support from the U.N. to coordinate with the international community as was the case under UNSOM.

“UNSOM played a critical role, but now it outlived its usefulness,” the adviser said, adding that the mission also had a high annual cost of $100 million.

“We would like to express our gratitude for the support and cooperation extended by the United Nations Mission throughout its mandate in Somalia. The dedication and hard work of the mission have played a crucial role in promoting peace, stability, and development in our country,” it added.