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The United Nations (UN) political mission in Somalia concluded operations on Saturday, wrapping up over three decades of continuous peacebuilding efforts in the East African nation.
Established initially as a political office in 1995 and expanded into the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in 2013, the mission helped state authorities transition toward democracy, institutional reform, and the rule of law following decades of armed conflict.
The departure follows a request from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who negotiated a two-year phased exit for the mission, temporarily renamed the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS).
Officers-in-charge confirmed that while formal mission operations have ceased, remaining responsibilities have successfully transferred to domestic institutions and local UN country teams.
This historic transition occurs as Somalia faces ongoing security threats from Al-Shabaab insurgents, who maintain control over large swathes of central territory.
Compounding these challenges, international funding cuts—including the withdrawal of U.S. financial support for UN logistics operations—raise serious concerns for national security as the country prepares for critical parliamentary and presidential elections next May.
