UN Chief Calls for Sustained Support as Somalia Political Mission Ends After 13 Years

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for sustained international support for Somalia as the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) prepares to cease operations on October 31, ending more than 13 years of UN special political mission engagement in the country.

In a statement issued ahead of the mission’s closure, Guterres said the United Nations would continue supporting Somalia through its resident agencies, funds and programmes, working with Somali authorities, the African Union and other international partners.

He said the continued UN engagement would focus on advancing peace, stability, human rights and sustainable development, despite the end of the dedicated political mission.

“I commend the progress achieved and the determination and resilience of the Somali people despite the many challenges they face,” Guterres said.

The UN chief also called for sustained international assistance to consolidate the gains made in recent years, advance inclusive political dialogue and reconciliation, strengthen state institutions and protect human rights.

His statement comes as Somalia continues to confront security threats, political divisions and humanitarian challenges, even as the country seeks to strengthen its institutions and assume greater responsibility for its political and security affairs.

Guterres acknowledged the significant political, security, humanitarian and development challenges that remain, stressing the need for continued international engagement beyond the closure of UNTMIS.

The mission’s departure marks the end of a major phase of UN political engagement that began in 2013 with the establishment of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

UNSOM was established to support Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building efforts, including political reconciliation, constitutional development, federalism, electoral processes and the strengthening of governance institutions. It also played a role in coordinating international support for Somalia’s political transition and security objectives.

The mission was subsequently replaced by UNTMIS as part of a transition towards greater Somali ownership of political and governance responsibilities. UNTMIS was established under UN Security Council Resolution 2753 (2024), with its mandate and transition arrangements subsequently addressed in Resolution 2809 (2025).

The closure follows a request from the Federal Government of Somalia and the completion of the mission’s two-year transition period.

Guterres expressed gratitude to those who had served in UNTMIS and its predecessor missions, paying particular tribute to UN personnel who lost their lives while serving in Somalia.

“My profound gratitude goes to all who have served UNTMIS and its predecessor missions, and I pay special tribute to the UN colleagues who lost their lives in the service of peace in Somalia,” he said.

Although the political mission is ending, the UN’s wider presence in Somalia will continue through its resident agencies, funds and programmes, which will maintain cooperation with the federal government and other Somali institutions.

The transition reflects a shift in the structure of UN engagement rather than a complete withdrawal from the country, with development, humanitarian and other forms of assistance expected to continue through the remaining UN system.

The end of the mission also comes at a critical period for Somalia, where disputes over political arrangements and power-sharing continue to test relations between federal and state authorities and opposition groups. Security operations against Al-Shabaab and efforts to address humanitarian needs remain central to the country’s national priorities.

Guterres’s appeal for continued international support underscores the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement as Somalia navigates the next phase of its state-building process following more than a decade of dedicated UN political mission involvement.