Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali government has warmly greeted the United Nations Security Council’s collective choice to morph the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) into a provisional mission over the coming two years, stepping up on November 1, 2024.
In a resolution inked on Wednesday, the Security Council greenlit the inception of the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS). This fresh entity is set to supplant UNSOM, which saw the light of day in 2013 to bolster Somalia’s leap toward democracy and nurture a rule of law. The aim of this mission is to ease UNSOM’s workload onto the shoulders of the Somali Federal Government and the local UN folks by October’s close in 2026.
The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the decision as it aligns with their vision to phase out UNSOM gradually, opening the doors for Somalia to flex its sovereign muscles and achieve institutional independence. This strategy was mapped out in August and submitted through UN Secretary-General António Guterres, following extended exchanges between Somali bigwigs and UNSOM’s joint technical committee.
“This diplomatic win mirrors the mutual dream of the UN and Somalia for a serene and steadfast nation, equipped to steer its national course and stand tall as an international player,” expressed the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The transitional mission, christened UNTMIS, will zero in on backing free and fair elections and safeguarding human rights in its debut year, with certain duties slowly shifting to Somali hands by the close of the first chapter.
UN endeavours can roll out only with the green light from the host country. Particularly in Africa, the UN has grappled with rancor in recent times.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
