The African Union (AU) has called an emergency meeting to deliberate on the future of its peacekeeping operation in Somalia following the United States’ decision to withdraw key financial support, citing insufficient progress in efforts to defeat the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab.
The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which deploys about 12,000 troops to assist Somali security forces, depends heavily on logistical backing from the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), a system largely financed by Washington.
According to a July 1 letter from the US government, funding for UNSOS will cease at the end of 2026. The US also indicated it would oppose any future UN logistical assistance for AUSSOM at the UN Security Council. A senior African diplomat familiar with the matter described the decision as final, warning that the peacekeeping mission could struggle to continue without UN logistical support.
Washington noted that it has provided nearly $2 billion to UN operations in Somalia since 2007 and over $1.6 billion to support African peacekeeping troops in the country. The US said it had also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Somali security forces and billions more in humanitarian and development aid.
However, the US argued that the Somali government had failed to consolidate gains made against Al-Shabaab, take full responsibility for national security, or implement substantial reforms within its security sector.
Neither the AU nor the Somali government immediately responded to the announcement.
Somalia has been battling the Al-Shabaab insurgency for nearly two decades, with the militant group still controlling significant parts of central and southern Somalia despite sustained military campaigns.
The funding decision comes amid growing political tensions in the country following constitutional amendments introduced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, which extended his tenure by one year after his previous term ended in May. Opposition groups and several regional administrations have rejected the move, leading to violent confrontations in some areas, including the capital, Mogadishu.
Security analyst Zekarias Beshah warned that while Somali forces were expected to gradually assume responsibility for the country's security, political divisions have slowed the transition. He cautioned that a reduction in international support could create an opening for Al-Shabaab to intensify its operations and launch a major offensive.
