S/PV.10078 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2025/828, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2809 (2025). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United Kingdom welcomes the unanimous adoption of this resolution (resolution 2809 (2025)), which authorizes the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to continue its essential role in strengthening stability and security in Somalia with the support of the United Nations, through the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). We thank all Council members for their constructive approach to the negotiations on this text. Today’s adoption follows the recent extension of the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime. Taken together, these decisions demonstrate the Council’s continued determination to support Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabaab. The resolution we have adopted today is clear-eyed about the challenges of the underfunding of AUSSOM and UNSOS’s liquidity shortfall. This mandate, therefore, creates a process to enable an informed review of the logistical support provided by the United Nations. We look forward to working closely with Council members on this in June. Somalia has made enormous progress since the Security Council first authorized the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia in 2007. To ensure its support to Somalia remains targeted and effective, the Council’s decision-making must continue to be informed by a comprehensive understanding of the national context into which AUSSOM is deployed. Finally, I pay tribute to the brave personnel of AUSSOM and its predecessors who paid the ultimate price in support of these Missions, alongside the many Somali forces and civilians who have lost their lives in the fight against terrorism in Somalia.

I have the honour to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the African members of the Security Council plus one (A3+), namely Algeria, Guyana, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone. Throughout the process, the A3+, guided by the principle of reflecting the views of the country concerned, engaged constructively and in good faith, advocating the priorities of Somalia, clearly articulating our concerns while remaining fully committed to meaningful dialogue with all Council members. Regrettably, some of our core concerns were not reflected in the text. The financing of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has not been a central issue throughout the negotiations, despite being the core concern. That being said, the A3+ voted in favour of resolution 2809 (2025), in the spirit of compromise and in recognition of the need to have Council authorization as the basis for continued support to AUSSOM by international donors. We express our gratitude for the Council’s continued attention and support for AUSSOM. We honour the sacrifices made by the troop-contributing countries and the Somali National Army over the past two decades and underscore the imperative to preserve the hard-earned security gains and sacrifices made by the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union troop-contributing countries. We reiterate our call for predictable, sustainable and adequate funding for AUSSOM and Somali national forces at this critical juncture. The chronic underfunding of AUSSOM seriously impedes its objectives and risks reversing the progress achieved. Undermining the security gains over the years would have dire implications for Somalia and the region. In conclusion, the A3+ expresses appreciation to all partners supporting Somalia’s security and its path towards sustainable peace and development. We reaffirm our commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence.

The Security Council has just adopted resolution 2809 (2025) by consensus, extending the mandate of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). As a long-standing supporter of AUSSOM’s mandate fulfilment, China voted in favour of the resolution. We commend the penholder for its efforts in facilitating consensus among Council members, and we commend all parties for their contributions thereto. Recent years have witnessed progress in Somalia’s counter-terrorism efforts. China applauds the endeavours by the African Union, regional countries and Somalia. At the same time, the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab remains a significant threat. The resolution just adopted authorizes AUSSOM to continue with its critical missions, including combating Al-Shabaab and protecting civilians. The international community should seize this opportunity to jointly assist Somalia in consolidating its counter- terrorism gains and achieving lasting peace. At present, the funding gap facing AUSSOM is unsustainable, and the liquidity shortfall confronting the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) merits our concern. China calls on international partners, particularly traditional donors, to honour their funding commitments and to move expeditiously to alleviate AUSSOM’s urgent financial strain. We also urge the Member States concerned to pay their assessed peacekeeping contributions to UNSOS in full and on time, thereby effectively fulfilling their responsibilities. We also look forward to Secretary-General António Guterres presenting practical proposals on adjusting support for AUSSOM and bridging the funding gap. The resolution states clearly that the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) will come to an end on 31 October 2026, marking an important milestone in Somalia’s development. We call on UNTMIS to ensure a smooth phase two of the transition and the timely conclusion of its mandate. The report to be submitted by the Secretary-General should focus on AUSSOM’s implementation of its mandate, providing the Council with the necessary reference for future decision-making. As the second largest contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping budget, China shoulders nearly one quarter of the budget of UNSOS, which has made significant contributions to the logistical support of AUSSOM. Over the years, China has provided substantial development and humanitarian assistance to Somalia through bilateral channels. As Somalia’s good friend, China stands ready to continue stepping up its efforts in helping Somalia achieve peace, stability and prosperity.

We thank the United Kingdom for its leadership on this mandate renewal. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), continue to serve a vital role in sustaining and winning the fight against Al-Shabaab and Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham. I would like to take a moment to thank the troop- and police-contributing countries of AUSSOM for their service and their sacrifice. We recognize the 8,000 African Union troops who have been killed or injured in the line of duty over the past 18 years, as well as the many Somali troops and civilians killed and injured. The United States has contributed nearly $1.6 billion to support troop- contributing countries for the African Union Mission in Somalia and its successor missions. That is in addition to nearly $2 billion we have provided in assessed contributions to UNSOS and its predecessor. We have also provided substantial bilateral assistance, including hundreds of millions of dollars of support to the Somali security forces, plus billions in humanitarian relief and development assistance. Despite the sacrifices of the troops and police and the long-term support from the United States and other partners and allies, sustained progress against the terrorism threat in the region and towards the essential transfer of most security functions to Somalia has been elusive. Ongoing efforts must ensure the responsibility for combating Al-Shabaab, Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham and other terrorism threats shifts primarily to those who have the most at stake. It is also important that UNSOS and AUSSOM build on efforts to optimize resources, identify clear performance benchmarks, implement efficiencies and identify a credible road map for realizing mandate objectives and ultimately sunsetting the Mission. In addition, we urge the Federal Government of Somalia, all Member States and all clans to come together to address the country’s security and governance challenges. In the coming months, we look forward to robust and realistic assessments that outline next steps for a responsible AUSSOM drawdown and for accelerating Somalia’s progress to take on more responsibility for its own security. Lastly, we would like to express the United States’ continued frustration with Council members using the mandate renewal process to push distracting and divisive language, including on gender.

France would like to thank the United Kingdom for presenting the text of resolution 2809 (2025) and for its efforts to achieve its unanimous adoption by the members of the Council. This adoption demonstrates the Council’s support for the African Union’s efforts in Somalia. By voting in favour, France reaffirms its confidence in and support for the African Union Mission, the troop-contributing countries and United Nations agencies in their efforts, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia, to restore peace and stability and to dismantle the terrorist groups present in Somalia. For the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to be able to fully implement its mandate, it is urgent for the international community to come together to give it the resources that it needs. France, alongside the European Union (EU) and its member States, remains committed to security in Somalia, notably through the Common Security and Defence Policy-European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces, Operation Atalanta and Operation Aspides. While the European Union already provides the majority of support for Somalia, with more than €4.3 billion since 2009 committed to the African Union in Somalia and Somalia itself, it is now more urgent than ever that new donors also mobilize in support of security in Somalia. Only a joint and coordinated response from all of Somalia’s partners will allow us to curb the terrorist threat. The full implementation of AUSSOM’s mandate will also depend on the Organization’s ability to provide it with the necessary logistical support through the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). In this regard, France calls on all Member States to pay their mandatory contributions on time and in full to allow UNSOS to fulfil its mission. Finally, I would like to thank all the members of the Council for their constructive engagement in these negotiations. This resolution renews our collective support for the AUSSOM Mission, which is paying the ultimate price alongside the Somali forces. Thanks to the expected reports, including on the political and security situation in Somalia, it will also provide useful information for Council decisions on the future of the international presence in Somalia. These decisions will be taken in full cooperation with the host State and with the shared aspiration for a peaceful, secure and sovereign Somalia that is able to ensure its own security.

Denmark voted in favour of resolution 2809 (2025), just adopted. We did so because we believe that the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), with the continued logistical support of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), plays a crucial role in supporting Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab and in strengthening stabilization efforts. Despite considerable progress over the past decade, the situation remains fragile and requires our continued attention. This resolution ensures continued support to AUSSOM and UNSOS, which play an important role in advancing peace while reforms are implemented and capacities built in Somalia. Further progress must be made at the national level in order for Somalia to assume full responsibility for its security. With today’s adoption, the Council has also decided to close the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) by 31 October 2026. We encourage the Federal Government of Somalia and the United Nations to continue their cooperation during the second phase of the transition so as to ensure a successful handover of responsibilities. As the security challenges faced by Somalia are unlikely to be resolved in the short term, Denmark underlines the importance of keeping the Council informed on all aspects of the situation in Somalia, including those related to AUSSOM and UNSOS, as well as on the transition of UNTMIS until its closure. In closing, Denmark remains firmly committed to working with Somalia, the United Nations, the African Union and Council members in support of peace and stability in Somalia. We take this opportunity to thank the United Kingdom for its tireless efforts as penholder.

Pakistan voted in favour of resolution 2809 (2025) and expresses its sincere appreciation to the United Kingdom, as penholder, for facilitating the consensus adoption of the resolution. Somalia is a brotherly country to Pakistan, and we reaffirm our steadfast support for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The mandate renewal of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is critical in supporting Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab and in consolidating the progress made towards achieving lasting peace and stability. As highlighted in the latest reports of the Secretary-General (S/2025/613) and the Panel of Experts of the Committee pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023), concerning Al-Shabaab (S/2025/385), Al-Shabaab and its affiliates continue to pose a significant threat to peace and security in Somalia. While commending the recent successes achieved by Somali forces against Al-Shabaab, with the support of the African Union-United Nations missions, we must continue to offer our full support to sustain and build upon those gains. We believe that AUSSOM, operating under the principles of national ownership and in full respect for national sovereignty, will play a critical role in supporting Somalia’s goal of independently conducting security operations in future. In that context, Pakistan firmly believes that sustainable and predictable financing for AUSSOM remains vital to preserving the hard-won gains against Al-Shabaab. In closing, we pay tribute to the sacrifices of Somali forces and African Union- United Nations missions over the years. As we move into 2026, Pakistan will continue to engage constructively with Member States to support Somalia’s journey towards peace and prosperity.

The Russian Federation supported resolution 2809 (2025), relating to the activities of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). We are convinced that the presence of African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Somalia continues to be necessary. They are conscientiously doing their duty, holding back the activities of extremists in the Horn of Africa and defending the civilian population from the threat stemming from Al-Shabaab. We thank the leadership and the peacekeepers of AUSSOM for their service, and we pay tribute to those who laid down their lives for the sake of stabilizing the situation in Somalia. During work on the resolution, we made every effort to achieve the necessary resourcing of AUSSOM despite the difficult circumstances of the current United Nations liquidity crisis. Most importantly, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia will continue its important work to provide logistical and other assistance to AU peacekeepers. We share the position of the three African members of the Security Council plus that the focus of the resolution should continue to be the security issue and support for AUSSOM. Focusing on domestic political issues in Somalia, the activities of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia and the relevant reports of the Secretary-General are secondary in nature, and they are not a mandatory precondition for the Security Council to authorize the work of African peacekeepers in Somalia. Resolution 2748 (2025), which was adopted in August 2024 to extend the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, is a clear confirmation of this. We are of the view that the imperative is to take into account the opinion of countries in the region, first and foremost Somalia, which have all the necessary information about the situation on the ground. Against this backdrop, we fail to understand the attempts by some delegations to defend the expansion of the Secretary-General’s reporting on Somalia, to tie AUSSOM’s activities to the work of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia and to use references to the amount of financing that they have provided in doing so. We are of the view that voluntary financial assistance is provided without expectation of compensation and cannot be tied to political requirements. For its part, Russia is ready to cooperate closely with African delegations in the Security Council and in other forums on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In Cairo, the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum just concluded. For the first time, the meeting of foreign ministers took place on the African continent, which attests to both our commitment to friendly and mutually beneficial relations and to the existence of common goals with our African partners. Russia and Africa are natural allies in the work of democratizing international relations based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations in full, in their entirety and interconnectedly.