DHUSAMAREB, Somalia — The United Nations has handed over a fortified compound in Dhusamareb, the regional capital of Galmudug, to the state government as the UN prepares to wind down its political footprint in Somalia.
The facility — built by the UN for staff operations at the Hero Drogo site — has been transferred to the Galmudug administration led by Ahmed Abdi Kariye, widely known as Qoor Qoor. UN representative James Swan said the organization had “constructed and equipped the compound for operations” in Galmudug but would no longer maintain it as part of a broader drawdown.
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“However, due to the United Nations’ financial situation and the projected closure of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia in October 2026 at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, this facility will now be transferred to the Government of the State of Galmudug for its use,” Swan told attendees at the handover.
He added that “the spirit of UN solidarity and support for the people of Galmudug” was as crucial to the handover as the physical infrastructure, and emphasized that support for the state “is not solely about a physical location.”
The United Nations Support Office in Somalia will continue training Galmudug technicians on the compound’s power, water and security systems through the end of the year before withdrawing its specialist staff, the UN said.
Dhusamareb has emerged as a political and security hub for central Somalia. Officials said the compound can host state institutions, visiting delegations and security meetings in a controlled environment, giving local authorities a fortified base as they coordinate governance and stabilization efforts.
The handover comes as multiple international missions recalibrate or wind down in Somalia, even as the country’s state-building process has slowed in recent weeks. PresidentHassan Sheikh Mohamudis preparing for elections, but persistent insecurity continues to test federal and regional authorities.
UN officials framed the transfer as a practical step to ensure continuity of government work in Galmudug while the organization plans for a phased exit in 2026. While the UN has cited budget constraints and the federal government’s request in planning its closure, Swan stressed that collaboration with Somali counterparts would continue in the near term through technical support and coordination.
Regional leaders welcomed the move as a boost to local capacity. With the fortified premises now under state control, Galmudug officials say they intend to use the site to consolidate administrative functions and host high-level engagements that previously required ad hoc security arrangements.
The Dhusamareb transfer underscores shifting international roles in Somalia: as global missions scale back, Somali institutions are expected to assume more responsibility for security and governance. Whether that transition can stay on track — amid election preparations and persistent threats — remains a central test for both Mogadishu and regional states like Galmudug.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
