The United Nations formally concluded its political mission in Somalia on October 31, marking the end of over 30 years of peacebuilding efforts in the East African nation. This transition followed a two-year phased withdrawal agreed upon with Somali authorities.

The current mission, known as the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), originated from the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), established in 1995. In 2013, the UN Security Council created the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to support the country’s progress toward democratic governance and the rule of law after decades of conflict involving militias and criminal groups.

In May 2024, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud formally requested the UN to conclude its mission earlier than the October 2026 mandate expiry but later agreed to a two-year transition period. During this time, responsibilities and mandates were gradually handed over to Somali institutions and the UN country team.

Raisedon Zenenga, the UN officer-in-charge for UNT-MIS and deputy special representative for Somalia, emphasized that the closure of the mission does not signify an end to cooperation. “Today is not an end to the partnership between the United Nations and Somalia—rather, it marks the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another,” he said. Zenenga noted that despite ongoing challenges, significant progress had been achieved since the early years of international engagement.

Somalia continues to face serious security concerns, primarily due to the persistent presence of the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab. The group controls large parts of central Somalia and has waged an armed insurgency against the Somali federal government for more than 20 years. An international military campaign has targeted Al-Shabaab in recent years, but efforts have been complicated by reductions in external funding. Notably, the United States withdrew all funding for a critical UN logistics mission supporting military operations, raising questions about the sustainability of current counterterrorism efforts.

The country is also preparing for parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for May 2027. However, the electoral process remains threatened by ongoing insecurity and political disputes, creating uncertainty about the transition to a fully stable governance framework.

As the UN concludes its formal mission, Somali authorities and international partners face the challenge of building on the gains made amid a complex and evolving security and political landscape.