The African Union has convened an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia after the United States announced it would end critical funding, citing a lack of progress against violent extremists and political infighting in the Somali government.
US Decision to End Funding
In a letter dated July 1, Washington informed the AU that it would cease payments to the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) at the end of this year. UNSOS provides the bulk of funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which deploys approximately 12,000 troops to support the Somali army. The letter was confirmed by a senior African diplomat, who described the decision as "irreversible" and stated that the mission is "finished."
The US also said it would block any further UN logistical support to AUSSOM at the Security Council. Since 2007, the US has provided nearly $2 billion to UN missions in Somalia, over $1.6 billion to African troops deployed there, and "hundreds of millions to Somali security forces, as well as billions more in humanitarian and development assistance," according to the letter.
Reasons Behind the Funding Cut
The letter accused Somalia’s government of failing to "sustain progress against Al-Shabab, take ownership of its security functions, or undertake serious security sector reform." It blamed "internal rivalries and political infighting" for the lack of progress. Somalia has been battling the Al-Shabab insurgency for around two decades, but the group still controls vast swaths of the country, particularly in central and southern regions.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had the constitution changed earlier this year, extending his term by a year after it expired on May 15. This move was rejected by opposition parties and regional governments, leading to violent clashes in several parts of the country, including the capital Mogadishu.
Impact on AUSSOM and Somali Security
The AU Commission has convened an "emergency meeting on the future of AUSSOM." The senior African diplomat noted, "Without UN logistics, which were funded by the US ... we will have to draw a line under our mission in Somalia." The loss of US funding threatens to undermine the AU mission, which is the leading force supporting the Somali army against Al-Shabab.
Mohamud oversaw progress against Al-Shabab after taking office in 2022, culminating in a successful large-scale offensive. However, much of the gains were later lost, and the insurgency continues to hold territory. The funding cut could further weaken the Somali government's ability to combat the insurgency and stabilize the country.
