US to end funding for UN Support Office in Somalia

The African Union has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the future of its military mission in Somalia after the United States announced it would end key funding, citing a lack of progress in the fight against the Al-Shabab insurgency.

Somalia has been battling Al-Shabab for nearly two decades, but the militant group continues to control large parts of the country despite repeated military offensives.

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), comprising around 12,000 troops, is the main international force backing the Somali army.

However, in a July 1 letter to the African Union, Washington said it would stop funding the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) — which provides the bulk of logistical support to AUSSOM — at the end of 2026.

A senior African diplomat, who confirmed the letter, described the decision as “irreversible” and warned it could effectively bring the mission to an end.

“The AU Commission has convened an emergency meeting on the future of AUSSOM,” the diplomat said, adding, “Without UN logistics, which were funded by the US, we will have to draw a line under our mission in Somalia.”

The US also said it would oppose any future UN Security Council proposals to continue logistical support for AUSSOM.

According to the letter, Washington has contributed nearly $2 billion to UN operations in Somalia since 2007 and more than $1.6 billion to African Union forces deployed there. It also highlighted hundreds of millions of dollars in support for Somali security forces and billions more in humanitarian and development assistance.

The US criticised Somalia’s government for failing to sustain gains against Al-Shabab, take greater responsibility for national security and implement meaningful security sector reforms, blaming persistent political infighting and internal rivalries.

The funding decision comes amid growing political tensions in Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier this year amended the constitution to extend his term by one year beyond its original expiry on May 15, prompting opposition parties and several regional administrations to reject the move. The dispute triggered violent clashes in parts of the country, including the capital, Mogadishu.

Mohamud initially oversaw significant military gains against Al-Shabab following his return to office in 2022, with Somali forces launching a major offensive against the insurgents. However, many of those territorial gains have since been reversed, and Al-Shabab continues to maintain a strong presence across central and southern Somalia.