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UK Announces Additional $3.9 Million to Support Somali Security Forces

Storyline:Security, War on Al-Shabaab

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU:The UK government has announced an additional $3.9 million as part of its continued support ot the Somali Security Forces through a UN kitty.

The U.K embassy in Mogadishu announced Monday that the funding will be channelled ‘through UNSOS Somalia Security Forces Trust Fund for a safer and more secure Somalia.’

The Trust Fund, managed by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), currently supports 18,900 personnel from the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force.

UK ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis said the funding affirmed his coountry’s commitment to fighting extremism and standing with Somalia.

“The Trust Fund, managed by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), currently supports 18,900 personnel from the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force,” ambassador Nithavrianakis said.

Somalia’s National Security Advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali also called for increased support to the Trust Fund, while reiterating the government’s commitment to utilising the Fund’s resources effectively.

“The logistical support provided by UNSOS has been significant for the Somali Security Forces, mainly in casevac and medevac. We urge donors to increase funding in 2025 as FGS continues to generate new forces. I reiterate the Somali government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to international standards in the use of these resources and support provided,” Ali said.

In 2024, UK funding enabled UNSOS to deliver 6,000 tons of food rations and 2000 tons of diesel fuel to the SSF, as well as providing casualty evacuations (casevac) for hundreds of wounded SSF personnel.

The latest contribution will provide more of this essential logistical support to the SSF. UNSOS requires a minimum of $2 million monthly to support the increase of SSF personnel from 18,900 to 20,900 as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2767 (2024). This funding is urgently needed. Additionally, UNSOS’s life-saving casevac support is particularly critical during ongoing operations.