WASHINGTON (KAAB TV) — The United States has officially rejected a United Nations proposal to finance the African Union’s new stabilization mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, which launched operations in January.
The U.S. stance has raised significant concerns over the mission’s future, as AUSSOM plays a critical role in supporting stability in Somalia and countering the extremist group al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
The rejection comes ahead of a key United Nations Security Council vote scheduled for May 15 on a new joint funding model outlined in Resolution 2719. While the U.S. had previously remained silent on the matter, it has now openly voiced opposition.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson explained that Somalia is not an appropriate environment to trial this model of shared funding for African Union missions, which have maintained a presence in the country since 2007.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed alarm over AUSSOM’s financial shortfalls. In a report submitted to the Security Council on April 10, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for international financial support, stating that predictable and sustainable funding is essential for maintaining peace and stability in Somalia.