The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the African Union-led force in Somalia through 2026. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission, or AUSSOM, supports Somali forces and combats the Al-Shabaab jihadist group.
AUSSOM replaced a “transition” mission in January, which had evolved from an African Union operation first launched in 2007. Despite gains in 2022 and 2023, Al-Shabaab has staged a renewed offensive, testing Somali and AU forces across the country.
In March, the group narrowly missed Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a daring attack on his convoy. In April, militants fired shells at Mogadishu’s airport, further destabilizing the capital and alarming international observers.
Somali forces and AUSSOM recaptured Bariire in August, a strategic town about 100 kilometers west of Mogadishu. The Security Council resolution caps AUSSOM’s uniformed personnel at 11,826, including 680 police officers, to maintain operational capacity.
The Council also voiced concern over chronic underfunding, which threatens the mission’s effectiveness against persistent Al-Shabaab threats. The United States abstained from the vote, while 14 other Council members backed the extension, signalling broad international support. AUSSOM’s continued presence underscores the fragile security situation in Somalia and the global community’s commitment to regional stability.