The UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) will conclude a two-year mandate after the UN Security Council decided not to renew the operation.
The decision followed a request from the Somali government, which wants national institutions to assume greater responsibility for peacebuilding and state-building.
Responsibilities currently held by UNTMIS will be transferred to Somali institutions and UN agencies, funds and programmes remaining in the country.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the progress achieved during successive UN missions and thanked Special Representatives and employees who served in Somalia.
Guterres also paid tribute to UN personnel who lost their lives while working in the country.
The closure marks the end of a lengthy period of UN political missions supporting Somalia’s transition from conflict and institutional collapse.
However, Guterres acknowledged that Somalia continued to face serious political, security, humanitarian and development challenges.
The international community should maintain support to protect progress achieved during the past three decades, Guterres said.
Priorities include advancing inclusive political dialogue and reconciliation, strengthening national institutions and protecting human rights.
Somalia must also continue confronting Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group responsible for repeated attacks against civilians, government institutions and security forces.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
