Why US won't back new UN funding model for Somalia

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The United States has voiced its reluctance to back United Nations Security Resolution (UNSC) 2719 for Somalia under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

"The United States position remains the same as it has been over the last one year,” William Popp, the US ambassador to Uganda, said Thursday.

He said the US will also not support the ‘hybrid’ model of 2719 either, as they believe it "undercuts the spirit and intent of the resolution".

Popp made the revelation during the extraordinary meeting of the Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) to AUSSSOM at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, on Thursday.

Participants at the four-day meeting that commenced on Tuesday in Kampala included delegations from Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, as well as development partners, including the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of the expiry of the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) ending on December 31, 2024, which gave way to the AU-led AUSSSOM.

"It is important to note that this does not reflect a lack of commitment to security in Somalia or the region as a whole. On the contrary, we want to continue to work with the AU and other partners to identify funds necessary to meet AUSSOM's requirements,“ said Popp.

The US has been one of the biggest funders of the peace efforts in Somalia, contributing $1.6b for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2007 and $1.9b for later missions, including African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). 

UN Security Council Resolution 2719, passed in December 2023, provides for predictable and sustainable financing for African Union (AU)–led peace support operations (PSOs).

Whereas the resolution only provided for funding of up to 75 per cent of the annual budget of an AU-led PSO, the UN Security Council committed itself that where there are significant shortfalls in resource mobilisation, it would consider all viable options to bridge the gap.

Vincent Bagiire, the permanent secretary of Uganda's foreign affairs ministry, said that as a result of a perennial shortage of funds that has continued to affect AUSSOM and its predecessor missions, troop-contributing countries, including Uganda, have continued to deploy troops without remuneration in such a challenging terrain and environment. 

This is not to mention the deployment of bilateral troops with immense sacrifice, resilience and determination.

“I am glad that the AU Commission is joining us in this meeting. Our understanding is that the UNSC, in resolution 2767 (2024), required the UN Secretary-General, in collaboration with the AU, to submit two reports to the Council, one in April and the other in May, upon which the UNSC would assess whether to confirm the use of resolution 2719 or not," said Bagiire.

"We would be happy to hear from the AU Commission the current funding situation and what steps are being taken to address those funding challenges, including in meeting the reporting obligations in UNSC resolution 2767 (2024)."

According to Bankole Adeoye, the head of political affairs, peace and security at the African Union, AUSSOM has a total staff of 11,146 men and women serving in the force.

He said they need a total of $15m (sh54.9b) for operating for a month, but currently have only $16m (sh58.6b) for a whole year.