Hornpost
New York (Horn post) The United States has reaffirmed its support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) while emphasizing the ongoing challenges in securing lasting stability in Somalia.
The statement was delivered during the UN Security Council debate on Resolution 2809 (2025), which extends the AU mission’s mandate until 31 December 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the US Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador Mike Waltz thanked the United Kingdom for its leadership in guiding the mandate renewal and recognized the sacrifices of both African Union and Somali troops. “We recognize the 8,000 AU troops who have been killed or injured in the line of duty over the last 18 years, as well as the many Somali troops and civilians who have suffered,” the Ambassador said.
The United States highlighted its financial support to the mission, noting contributions of nearly $1.6 billion to support AU troop- and police-contributing countries, in addition to almost $2 billion in assessed contributions to the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and predecessor missions. Bilateral assistance has also included hundreds of millions of dollars for Somali security forces, alongside billions in humanitarian relief and development aid.
Despite these efforts, the US acknowledged that “sustained progress against the terrorism threat in the region and toward the essential transfer of most security functions to Somalia has been elusive.” The statement emphasized that future efforts must ensure that the responsibility for countering Al-Shabaab, ISIS, and other terrorism threats shifts primarily to Somali forces, who have the greatest stake in national security.
The United States also called on UNSOS and AUSSOM to optimize resources, implement efficiencies, and develop clear performance benchmarks and a credible roadmap to achieve mandate objectives, ultimately leading to a responsible drawdown of the mission.
In addition, the Ambassador Mike Waltz urged the Federal Government of Somalia, member states, and local communities to work collectively to address security and governance challenges. “In the coming months, we look forward to robust and realistic assessments that outline next steps for a responsible AUSSOM drawdown and for accelerating Somalia’s progress to take on more responsibility for its own security,” the statement said.
The US UN Ambassador Mike Waltz also expressed frustration with Council members who, during the mandate renewal process, attempted to introduce “distracting and divisive language,” including references to gender-related issues.
The Security Council vote to extend AUSSOM’s mandate was unanimous, signaling continued international support for the AU-led mission as Somalia navigates one of the region’s most persistent security challenges.
Prepared:
Hornpost staff Reporter
