The United Nations Security Council has authorised a new African Union stabilisation and support mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, which will replace the current, larger AU anti-terrorism operation from 1 January 2025. The decision was made on Friday, following a vote in which the United States abstained, citing concerns over funding. The remaining 14 council members voted in favour of the resolution.
During the Security Council meeting, the Federal Government of Somalia declared that Ethiopia would not be part of AUSSOM. Somalia stated that it has secured the necessary 11,000 security personnel through existing bilateral agreements with other countries.
The move comes as Somalia’s security continues to rely on foreign resources. Since 2006, when Ethiopia invaded Somalia and toppled an Islamist-led administration, a long-running insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Negotiations surrounding the new force have been complex, sources told Reuters in June. The European Union and the United States, the primary funders of the current AU forces in the Horn of African Nation, had expressed a desire to reduce the number of AU peacekeepers. This was motivated by concerns about the long-term financial viability and sustainability of the current mission.
On 23 December, Egypt announced it would contribute troops to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. According to Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty, the decision was made following a request from the Somali government.
“Egypt has decided to participate in the mission based on the Somali government’s request and welcoming of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council,” he said at a press conference in Cairo. This announcement was made during a visit by the Somali foreign minister. The growing ties between Egypt and Somalia come amid rising tensions with Ethiopia over the recognition of the break-away region of Somaliland.
