The United Nations Security Council has authorised a new African Union mission to continue fighting al Shabab in Somalia.
The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM), approved Friday, is set to begin its anti-terrorism operation from January 1, 2025.
It will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), whose mandate ends on December 31.
A total of 14 council members voted in favour of the resolution with United States abstaining, citing funding concerns.
The text adopted by the UNSC provides for the possibility of using a mechanism that it created last year, under which an African force deployed with the green light of the UN can be up to 75 per cent financed by the UN.
US representative Dorothy Shea justified her country’s abstention noting the conditions have not been met for immediate transition to application of that measure.
Representatives from Somalia and its neighbour Ethiopia were also invited to participate in the council’s meeting.
They were, however, not allowed to vote. “We emphasise that the current AUSSOM troops allocations are completed through bilateral agreements,” the Somali representative said.
The official stated that 11,000 troops will participate in the mission.
On Monday, Egypt’s foreign minister announced his country would take part in the new force.
Kenya is also set to deploy officers to the country. Burundi has reportedly stated it will not be taking part in the new force.
The new missions work will involve supporting Somali Security Forces by enhancing their capabilities to maintain security and combat security threats, and protect key infrastructure installations and government institutions.
Troops from various countries serving under ATMIS completed the exit plan from Somalia in June 2023 in phase one.
A total of 2,000 forces comprising 400 from Kenya, 400 from Uganda, 400 from Ethiopia, 600 from Burundi and 150 from Djibouti exited.
The second phase of the drawdown, which was to be completed September the same year, was halted following a request by the Somalia Federal Government.
At least 754 Kenyan troops in ATMIS were expected to leave Somalia.
Phase three commenced on October 1, 2023, through to June 2024 where a total of 4,000 KDF troops were recalled.
