The United Nations held a ceremony in Mogadishu on Monday to mark the end of its political mission in Somalia, concluding 13 years of engagement that began with the establishment of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in 2013, Dawan Africa reported. The ceremony was led by Raisedon Zenenga, acting head of the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), and Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama.

Source: Dawan Africa

In New York the same day, UN associate spokesperson Daniela Gross De Almeida said UNTMIS "will complete its two-year transition and cease operations" on October 31, pursuant to Security Council resolutions 2753 (2024) and 2809 (2025) and in line with the request of the Federal Government of Somalia. The mission's mandated functions have been transferred to Somali institutions and UN agencies, funds and programmes, she said.

Source: UN UNifeed

"The closure... does not signal the end of UN support, nor does it diminish Somalia's partners' commitment," Zenenga said. "Instead, it opens a new chapter in the UN's partnership with Somalia." During the transition, a joint technical committee oversaw the handover of functions to Somali institutions, the UN country team and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). Zenenga said the mission had supported the creation of federal member states, electoral processes, justice and police institutions, security sector reform and human rights frameworks, including the establishment of the Human Rights Commission.

Source: Dawan Africa

The Secretary-General commended "the progress achieved over the past decades towards building peace and security in Somalia" and the resilience of the Somali people, the UN spokesperson said, adding that the UN will continue to support Somalia through its resident agencies, funds and programmes, with the African Union and other partners. The UN country team, led by Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator George Conway, will continue supporting Somalia's national priorities, Zenenga said. Deputy Prime Minister Jama called the end of the mission a historic day and said Somalia is now in charge, Dawan Africa reported in its account of his remarks.

Source: UN UNifeed; Dawan Africa

UNTMIS began operations on November 1, 2024, replacing UNSOM under the Security Council handover plan; UNSOM had operated since 2013, when it took over from the UN Political Office for Somalia, established in 1995, Somalia Today reported. Zenenga also urged continued support against the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab to enable "a gradual and sustainable security transition", the report said.

Source: Somalia Today