Monday May 12, 2025
New York (HOL) - The United Nations is urgently seeking $41.6 million in extra-budgetary funding to support the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as Security Council members met Monday for closed consultations on the mission’s financing amid ongoing threats from Al-Shabaab militants and fragile political stability in the country.
The behind-closed-doors meeting, requested by Somalia and the United Kingdom, focused on bridging the critical funding gap for AUSSOM, which replaced the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on 1 January 2025. Although AUSSOM’s initial annual budget was projected at $190.2 million, a decision to maintain the current troop reimbursement rate of $828 per soldier per month—rather than increase it to $1,000—brought the revised budget down to $166.5 million.
Under a hybrid funding model outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2719, the UN would contribute up to 75% of AUSSOM’s budget through assessed contributions, while the remaining 25%—about $41.6 million—must be raised through extra-budgetary support from the AU and the international community.
So far, just $14.5 million has been secured, including $10 million from the AU Peace Fund and $4.5 million in contributions from Japan and South Korea. This leaves a significant shortfall of $27 million, sparking concerns that delays in securing the funds could jeopardize AUSSOM’s operational readiness and momentum in stabilizing Somalia.
“The funding gap is a serious concern,” said a UN official familiar with the consultations. “Without timely support, the mission risks losing ground at a time when the security environment remains highly volatile.”
Resolution 2767, adopted in December 2024, endorsed the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM and authorized AU member states to take “all necessary measures” to support the mission for an initial 12-month period. The resolution also made AUSSOM’s access to UN-assessed contributions contingent upon a further Security Council decision, expected by 15 May.
To make the hybrid funding model feasible, the UN undertook an independent strategic review (ISR) of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). The review, led by experts Maman Sidikou and Neil Cole, identified $61.6 million in potential cost savings. Further consultations between the UN and AU led to additional cuts of $63.3 million, bringing total planned reductions to $124.9 million.
These reductions came through difficult trade-offs, including maintaining lower troop reimbursement rates, cutting aviation capabilities, excluding death and disability compensation from assessed contributions, and seeking voluntary funding for mine action services.
Despite broad support from many Council members—including the “A3 plus” group (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana), EU members, China, Russia, and Pakistan—for applying the 2719 framework to AUSSOM, the United States has voiced strong opposition. A recent bill introduced by US senators seeks to prohibit American contributions to AUSSOM under the 2719 framework, arguing that Somalia is not an appropriate setting for such funding and advocating for alternative financing mechanisms.
As Monday’s consultations concluded, Council members remained divided over how best to ensure sustainable funding for AUSSOM. However, Al-Shabaab continuing to threaten regional stability, many in the Council emphasized the urgency of a coordinated and effective funding response.