UN political mission ends in Somalia after 30 years
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on ThisDay
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia officially ended after more than 30 years of political and peacebuilding operations. Its responsibilities are now being transferred to Somali institutions and the UN country team, according to acting mission head Raisedon Zenenga.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) ended on 31 October, after two years of transition and more than three decades of peacebuilding operations in the country, reports ThisDay. Its responsibilities were transferred to Somali institutions or the United Nations country team.
UNTMIS succeeded the United Nations political mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in 2024. UNSOM was created in 2013 to support the democratic transition and the rule of law. It had itself replaced the United Nations Political Office for Somalia in 1995. Raisedon Zenenga, UNTMIS officer-in-charge and deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia, said the mission’s end marked the closing of a chapter, not the end of the partnership with Mogadishu.
The transition comes as the al-Shabaab group, linked to al-Qaeda, still controls large areas of central Somalia. Legislative and presidential elections are scheduled for May 2027, amid insecurity and disagreements between parties. The end of the mission follows the closure of the United Nations political office and the transition of the UN mission in Somalia, announced on 27 October.
