UK contributes over $30 million to assist Somalia’s safety transition

• $8 (£6) million to UNSOS to bolster non-lethal assist for Somali forces
• $22 (£16.5) million to AUSSOM to maintain AU-led safety efforts
• This funding reaffirms the UK’s enduring dedication to Somalia’s stability

The United Kingdom has introduced over $30 (£22.5) million in funding to assist Somalia’s safety transition. This consists of $8 (£6) million to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and $22 (£16.5) million to the African Union Support to Somalia (AUSSOM), the AU’s peace assist operation.

The dedication displays the UK’s continued function as a dependable accomplice to Somalia and the broader area, working in shut coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, the United Nations, and a broad vary of Troop and Police Contributing Countries.

Vital assist to Somali forces via UNSOS

The UK’s $8 (£6) million contribution to UNSOS will guarantee Somali Security Forces proceed to obtain important non-lethal assist, together with meals rations, tents, medical provides, and casualty evacuation (casevac). This logistical help performs a significant function in enabling Somali forces to conduct joint or coordinated operations with AUSSOM.

UNSOS presently helps 18,900 Somali National Army and Police personnel throughout the nation. This newest contribution brings the UK’s whole assist to UNSOS to over $58 (£46) million since 2021.

Backing AU-led safety via AUSSOM

The UK has additionally dedicated $22 (£16.5) million to AUSSOM, reinforcing Somalia’s transition to Somali-led safety preparations. AUSSOM performs a central function in supporting Somali and AU companions to handle threats from al-Shabaab, stabilise newly recovered areas, and assist scale back the drivers of regional insecurity.

The UK alongside the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, and the UN co-hosted an AUSSOM Donor Conference. This occasion, held within the margins of the UN General Assembly, was attended by a broad vary of companions and demonstrates the significance that the worldwide neighborhood attaches to Somalia’s safety and stability.

Since 2021, the UK has contributed almost $140 (£102.5) million to AUSSOM and its predecessor missions, demonstrating its dedication to multilateral efforts supporting Somalia’s long-term safety.

Minister for Development, Baroness Chapman, mentioned:

The UK has been a dedicated accomplice to Somalia for over a decade, recognising that its safety is important to regional stability and prosperity.

Today, we’re persevering with our assist via a significant contribution to AUSSOM, reinforcing our funding in a future the place commerce thrives, communities flourish, and terrorism now not threatens on a regular basis life.

This announcement displays the UK’s broader dedication to African-led peace efforts, and we stay devoted to working with regional companions to sort out shared safety challenges.

African-led options, backed by world companions, work, and the UK is proud to be supporting these.

Note to Editors

Since 2021, the UK has contributed:

• Over $58 (£46) million to UNSOS, supporting non-lethal logistical assist to Somali Security Forces
• Nearly $140 million (£102.5) to AUSSOM and its predecessor missions, supporting the reimbursement of African Union troops

UNSOS delivers very important assist together with rations, tents, medevac, and logistics to the Somali Security Forces

AUSSOM is the African Union’s peace assist mission to Somalia, supporting Somali-led safety transition according to UN Security Council Resolution 2741