The United States government has signaled a softening of its previous stance regarding the plan to wind down the United Nations support office for Somalia, proposing a 12-month transition period before the office’s operations conclude.
According to an informal document outlining the U.S. position in the negotiations, the transition plan could commence after the current mandate for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) expires on December 31, 2026.
This proposal comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the future of the UN support office for Somalia and the modalities for sustaining international support for the peacekeeping mission.
The document, obtained by the Kenyan media outlet *The EastAfrican*, indicates that Washington now supports a 12-month transition period, which would allow for a gradual shift to new support arrangements.
However, the United States has not yet made a definitive commitment to this plan, as negotiations concerning the future of UN support remain ongoing. The United Nations Support Office in Somalia plays a vital role in supporting the African Union mission, particularly regarding logistics and other essential operations for the forces deployed in Somalia.
If the transition plan is approved, the 12-month period could provide Somalia and the African Union with additional time to prepare a new framework for continued support to the mission following the conclusion of the current AUSSOM mandate.
