Somali government takes full control as UN political mission ends

The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia ceased all operations on Saturday, marking the end of a three-decade engagement in the Horn of Africa. The withdrawal completes a two-year transition process that the Somali government requested in 2024. With the mission gone, responsibility for political coordination now rests entirely with domestic institutions and remaining international agencies.

The handover followed a roadmap agreed upon between the Somali state and the UN. Responsibilities were gradually transferred to local bodies and the UN office that supports African Union troops. While humanitarian and development agencies remain in the country, their operations face pressure from shrinking global aid budgets. In August, the UN children’s agency reported that 205 health and nutrition facilities had closed due to these funding cuts.

Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama attended a farewell ceremony in Mogadishu on Monday. He described the event as a day of victory, stating that the country was leaving behind the era of transition. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration framed the exit as a necessary step toward sovereignty. This stance contrasts with the view of opposition leaders, who argue that the government is using constitutional changes to extend its rule until 2027.

The relationship between the UN mission and Somali authorities had grown strained in recent years. Domestic political actors frequently accused the mission of interfering in internal affairs. The closure removes a key mediator that had previously helped rival leaders reach election agreements. No replacement body has been appointed to fill that specific diplomatic role. Mohamud has invited political opponents to negotiation tables, but major opposition groups have not yet confirmed their participation.

Security challenges persist despite the political shift. Al-Shabab, an armed group linked to al-Qaeda, continues to engage government forces. African Union troops remain deployed to assist in these efforts. Their operations rely heavily on the UN Support Office in Somalia, or UNSOS, for food, fuel, medical care, and transport. A US-backed plan reported by Reuters in September proposes closing that support office by December 2027.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the progress made during the mission’s tenure. He called for continued international backing to address ongoing political, security, and humanitarian issues. The closure signifies a shift in how the international community interacts with Mogadishu, moving from direct political engagement to a more distant support role.