New York, United States — At the High-Level Financing Event for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), held under the auspices of the AU, Somalia, and international partners framework in New York, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Jama, issued a powerful call for sustained international support in the country’s fight against terrorism and its journey toward lasting peace and security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Jama highlighted the pivotal role AUSSOM continues to play in stabilizing Somalia and degrading Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity. He emphasized that without consistent political, financial, and logistical support from the international community, Somalia risks losing the hard-won gains achieved through years of joint military operations and institution-building efforts.
“Somalia is at a critical juncture. Our national forces, alongside ATMIS, are making significant progress. But terrorism does not respect borders, and our fight is part of the global fight against violent extremism,” Jama told delegates.
The event, co-hosted by the African Union, the Federal Government of Somalia, and key international partners including the United Nations and the European Union, aimed to mobilize funding and resources to support the final phase of the AUSSOM mandate. The AU mission is scheduled to conclude its drawdown by the end of 2024, handing over full security responsibility to Somali national forces.
However, the Somali government has expressed concerns about the timeline, noting that critical gaps remain in capacity, equipment, and stabilization efforts in liberated areas.
Jama pointed to recent military successes in central and southern Somalia, where joint operations have pushed Al-Shabaab militants out of several strategic towns and regions. He warned, however, that without a robust stabilization framework and economic support, those gains could be reversed.
“Security is not only about guns and soldiers. It is about schools, healthcare, justice, and dignity. We must ensure that communities liberated from terror see tangible peace dividends,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to the Somali Transition Plan (STP) and ongoing security sector reforms, including the integration of regional forces into a unified national army. These reforms, he noted, require predictable and long-term investment from international donors.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs Bankole Adeoye, and several foreign ministers from donor countries echoed Jama’s sentiments. Many called for a renewed funding mechanism beyond AUSSOM, to ensure Somalia’s security architecture is sustainable post-2024.
The AUSSOM event marked a shift in tone among international partners, many of whom acknowledged the changing security dynamics in Somalia. While AUSSOM’s exit has been long anticipated, several diplomats indicated a willingness to explore hybrid funding models and non-military assistance to reinforce peacebuilding efforts.
Jama concluded his remarks with a message of resolve and hope:
“Somalia will stand on its own. But we cannot—and should not—stand alone. This is a shared fight, and our collective future depends on its outcome.”
As AUSSOM prepares to exit and Somalia looks to a new era of self-reliance, the message from New York is clear: the road to peace is still under construction—and it will require more than goodwill to complete.