The United States has publicly refused to support a United Nations plan to fund the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, AUSSOM.
The move has raised serious concerns about the future of the international mission fighting the Al-Shabaab group. The US objection comes as the Security Council is scheduled to vote on a mixed funding model under Resolution 2719 on May 15.
The US had previously remained silent on the previous request for funding AUSSOM, but has now made it clear that it does not support the plan. A US State Department spokesperson told PassBlue on April 8 that the US does not consider Somalia to be a candidate for a mixed funding model under Security Council Resolution 2719.
He added that the system is frustrating to resolve problems, and declined to elaborate on how the Council would approach the vote.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed deep concern. In a report to the Security Council on April 10, he said that the lack of funding poses a serious threat to the AUSSOM mission.
Guterres called on the international community to support the funding request to ensure a sustainable and predictable financial system, which is essential for peace and stability in Somalia.
