By Staff Writer
Nairobi, Kenya — The United States plans to end its support for the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia, which operates under a United Nations framework, starting next year, according to two documents seen by Reuters.
About 12,000 African Union troops are currently deployed in Somalia. The mission has played a key role in supporting Somalia’s fragile government and pushing the Al-Shabaab militant group, linked to Al-Qaeda, out of parts of the capital, Mogadishu.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is composed of troops contributed by multiple African countries. The mission relies heavily on the United Nations for essential logistical support, including food, water, fuel, medical services, and transportation.
The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized Somalia’s government in Mogadishu, arguing that despite years of international assistance, it has failed to defeat militant groups or resolve persistent political instability.
According to a diplomatic document reviewed by Reuters, the US has informed the African Union that it will no longer provide support—through the UN office in Mogadishu—for the mission, which has an estimated annual budget of about $500 million.
A US State Department spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that Washington will discontinue funding for the UN support office that assists the African Union mission.
“The United States has provided nearly $2 billion in support, but Somalia has not been able to weaken or control Al-Shabaab, nor ensure its own security,” the spokesperson said. They added that the US will shift its assistance toward areas more directly aligned with American interests.
The US also stated it would not oppose a United Nations Security Council resolution to extend the mission’s mandate in Somalia, but it would not contribute funding for logistics or operational support.
Last year, the mission’s budget stood at $190 million and faced significant financial challenges, including difficulties covering operational costs. The US had previously rejected a proposal for the UN to fund three-quarters of the mission’s expenses.
The African Union Commission sent a letter to member states warning that the US decision could significantly affect the mission’s operational capacity.
Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, the US Department of Defense, the UN mission in Somalia, and the African Union did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Ahmed Koshin, a former director-general in Somalia’s defense ministry and now a member of parliament, said the decision “will have a serious impact on Somalia.”
Two diplomats familiar with the matter said the mission may struggle to continue operating unless an alternative funding source is secured to replace the US-supported UN logistics mechanism.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organization is aware of the decision and is holding “internal discussions with the African Union, the Somali Federal Government, and other partners” regarding next steps.
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Financial aid is not expected to be forever handout. I hope this will be an awakening call to our Somali brothers and sisters and they will be able to sort out the issues that have been tearing them apart for more than 3 decades now. If they are united the Al Shabaab terrorists will not last a week.
All the best.