Somalia: Closed Consultations on the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)
On Monday morning (12 May), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on the African Union (AU) Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The consultations were requested by Somalia (which is currently an elected member of the Council for the 2025–2026 term) and the UK (the Council’s penholder on the file). No briefer is expected.
The consultations are expected to focus on AUSSOM’s funding arrangements. Resolution 2767 of 27 December 2024 endorsed the decision of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to replace the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with AUSSOM and authorised AU members to take “all necessary measures” in this regard for an initial period of 12 months starting on 1 January. (For background and more information, see the brief on Somalia in our April 2025 Monthly Forecast and our 8 April What’s in Blue story.)
The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to implement the framework established under resolution 2719 of 21 December 2023—which concerns the financing of AU-led peace support operations (AUPSOs)—in a “hybrid” format starting on 1 July. This would allow UN assessed contributions to fund up to 75 percent of AUSSOM’s budget. However, the resolution made the implementation of this framework contingent on the Council confirming its request through a decision by 15 May. In considering its decision, the Council is expected to take into account the findings of the independent strategic review (ISR) of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS)—which focused on how existing resources could be used for the hybrid implementation of the 2719 framework to AUSSOM by rightsizing UNSOS—as well as a report from the Secretary-General outlining progress in preparing for this implementation.
The UNSOS ISR was co-led by independent experts Maman Sidikou (Niger) and Neil Cole (South Africa) and supported by a joint technical team from the AU Commission and the UN Secretariat. In accordance with resolution 2767, the Secretary-General was expected to submit the ISR by 1 April, but he requested an extension to allow for further consultations and assessment of the ISR’s recommendations. The report was subsequently circulated to Council members on 1 May (S/2025/268). It identified overall cost reductions of $61.6 million within UNSOS’ existing budget ceiling, comprising $43.2 million in operational costs and $18.4 million in staffing-related expenses. According to the report, these savings are expected to be achieved through efficiency gains, resource optimisation, and the reduction of support activities that “present low or medium risk to operational effectiveness”. The report noted that implementation of reduced support and costs would require a phased approach to ensure mitigation measures are in place and to allow time for contract amendments and demobilisation.
In his letter transmitting the ISR, the Secretary-General noted that the savings that the review identified within UNSOS’s existing budget ceiling were insufficient for the hybrid implementation of the 2719 framework to AUSSOM. To address this funding gap, the UN and AU held further consultations, resulting in an agreement to reduce overall costs across UNSOS and AUSSOM by an additional $63.3 million beyond the savings identified by the ISR. The Secretary-General highlighted that the total reductions—amounting to $124.9 million—reflect “balanced and…difficult trade-offs” aimed at preserving hard-won gains and are considered operationally feasible and cost-neutral to member states. The additional savings include: maintaining AUSSOM’s current troop reimbursement rate of $828 per person per month instead of increasing it to $1,000 as initially planned; excluding death and disability compensation from assessed contributions; rationalising military and civilian aviation capabilities; funding the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) through potential voluntary contributions rather than the assessed budget; and aligning contingent-owned equipment with revised force levels.
In a letter dated 7 May (S/2025/295), the Secretary-General submitted the report requested by resolution 2767 on preparations for the hybrid implementation of the 2719 framework to AUSSOM from 1 July. The report focused on the four workstreams identified in the joint AU-UN roadmap for the implementation of resolution 2719: joint mission planning, decision-making, and reporting; mission support; financing and budgeting; and compliance and protection of civilians.
The report also provided an update on the status of the 25 percent of AUSSOM’s annual budget that is to be jointly mobilised by the AU and the UN from the international community as extra-budgetary resources. According to the report, AUSSOM’s total annual budget was originally estimated at $190.2 million, based on the originally planned troop reimbursement rate of $1,000. However, following the AU’s decision to retain the current reimbursement rate of $828, the revised budget estimate stands at $166.5 million. As a result, approximately $41.6 million needs to be jointly mobilised by the AU and the UN as extra-budgetary resources to cover the 25 percent share. In this regard, the report noted that AU member states have approved $10 million from the AU Peace Fund to support AUSSOM in 2025. An additional $4.5 million in confirmed contributions—from Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK)—brings the total secured amount to $14.5 million, leaving a gap of $27 million.
Discussions on AUSSOM’s financial status have reached a critical juncture, as the mission continues to grapple with substantial funding shortfalls in an evolving security environment where Al-Shabaab—a terrorist group affiliated with Al-Qaida—remains a potent force that poses a serious threat to Somalia and the region. The Secretary-General’s 7 May report noted that AUSSOM has received only limited contributions to date, and that uncertainty surrounding the mission’s funding mechanism combined with “the overall challenging financial environment” have hindered efforts to mobilise further support.
On Monday, Council members are likely to exchange views on AUSSOM’s long-term financing, in particular through the 2719 framework. The majority of Council members—including the “A3 plus” members (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana) and European Union (EU) members (Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia), as well as Panama and the ROK—support financing AUSSOM through the 2719 framework and are likely to reaffirm support for the implementation of resolution 2767. China, Russia, and Pakistan have also been supportive of this option. While several members—such as those belonging to the EU, which has been a key financial contributor to AU operations in Somalia—have stressed the importance of diversified contributions and cost-sharing in securing a sustainable funding mechanism, others—such as China—have called on traditional donors to continue providing robust financial support.
By contrast, the US has expressed consistent opposition to the use of the 2719 framework for Somalia. On 2 May, a group of US senators including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair James Risch introduced a bill titled “AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025”. The bill aims to prohibit US financial contributions to AUSSOM under resolution 2719 and mandate US opposition to any Council action enabling such funding in order to “safeguard US taxpayer funds and hold the UN and [AU] accountable in African peace operations”. The US has maintained that Somalia is not an appropriate context for the application of the 2719 framework and has opposed the hybrid implementation model, arguing that it does not reflect the spirit or intent of resolution 2719. The US has suggested exploring alternative financing options that extend beyond the traditional donor base. (For for more information, see our 26 December 2024 What’s in Blue story.)
Monday’s consultations will provide an opportunity for Council members to align their understanding of the current state of play regarding AUSSOM’s financing. They may express their respective views on the findings and recommendations of the 1 May UNSOS ISR and the Secretary-General’s 7 May report. In light of the considerable cost savings outlined in these reports, some members are expected to express strong support for applying the 2719 framework to AUSSOM through a hybrid implementation model. They may also express concern that the current lack of a clear financing mechanism could jeopardise the mission, leading to a security vacuum and the loss of hard-earned security gains in Somalia. Given ongoing disagreements, however, some may advocate for a pragmatic approach to establishing a sustainable funding mechanism for an AU-led operation in Somalia and some might call for alternate planning options. Several members may underscore the importance of a timely and appropriate Council response to ensure the mission’s viability in 2025 and beyond.
