NEW YORK — The United Nations Security Council today adopted Resolution 2809 (2025), unanimously voting to extend the authorization for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) until December 31, 2026. In a significant move to consolidate international efforts, the Council also decided that the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) will conclude its transition and cease all operations by October 31, 2026.
The vote, which saw all 15 Council members in favor, represents a critical moment for Somalia’s security. The resolution authorizes African Union members to continue deploying up to 11,826 uniformed personnel, including 680 police officers, to support the Somali National Army (SNA) in its ongoing fight against the Al-Shabaab extremist group.
Strategic Shift: AUSSOM and UNTMIS
The decision marks the formalization of AUSSOM as the successor to the previous transition mission (ATMIS). This evolution reflects a pivot toward long-term stabilization, focusing on maintaining territorial gains and securing vital infrastructure while the Somali government prepares to assume full security responsibility.
The “sunset clause” for UNTMIS on October 31, 2026, sets a definitive two-year timeline for the United Nations to transfer its technical and political advisory functions to Somali national institutions and the UN Country Team. This move underscores the international community’s confidence in Somalia’s growing administrative capacity, despite persistent security threats.
Context and Mission History
The African Union’s military involvement in Somalia began in 2007 with AMISOM, which was instrumental in liberating Mogadishu and other major cities from Al-Shabaab. In April 2022, the mission was reconfigured as ATMIS (Transition Mission) to prioritize the handover of security to Somali forces.
The newest mission, AUSSOM, is designed to be “clear-eyed” about current challenges, particularly the chronic underfunding that has plagued previous efforts. The resolution calls on both traditional and new international donors to provide predictable financial support to prevent any reversal of security progress.
Key Mandates and Objectives
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Offensive Operations: AUSSOM is tasked with supporting the SNA in joint offensives to degrade Al-Shabaab’s ability to launch attacks.
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Logistical Support: The UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) will continue providing critical logistics, though the Council requested an “informed review” to adapt this support to current financial realities.
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Humanitarian Access: AUSSOM will maintain security for humanitarian corridors, vital for a population frequently displaced by conflict and climate-related crises.
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Political Roadmap: The resolution endorses a roadmap for the transition of UNTMIS functions, urging federal and state leaders in Somalia to coordinate closely on electoral reforms and reconciliation.
Looking Ahead
While the resolution was adopted unanimously, several Council members, including the UK (the penholder) and China, expressed concern over the “unsustainable” funding gap facing the mission. The next two years will serve as a final bridge toward a future where Somalia leads its own defense and political governance entirely.
The Council has requested the Secretary-General to provide a progress report by May 31, 2026, to assess whether the benchmarks for the final drawdown are being met.
