Efforts are in full swing in Mogadishu to plan and secure funding for the upcoming African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), set to replace the current AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in three months.
A joint AU-UN delegation, supported by the Somali government, troop-contributing countries (TCCs), and international stakeholders, is working on the mission’s design and financing options. This collaboration is aligned with UN Security Council resolution 2748 (2024), which stipulates a November deadline for presenting a comprehensive report on the mission’s implementation plan.
General Cheick Dembele, head of AU Peace Support Operations, highlighted that discussions with partners have provided clarity on AUSSOM’s structure and the need to scale back ATMIS for a more tailored mission approach. Dembele also noted that international input on financial and transition strategies is crucial for ensuring the mission’s success.
However, funding remains a key concern. Last year, ATMIS operations cost an estimated $1.5 billion. If AUSSOM follows a similar budget under the proposed UN burden-sharing model (75% UN, 25% AU), the AU will be expected to contribute $375 million. This figure, as highlighted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), could stretch the AU’s existing financial capacity and leave minimal funds for other peacekeeping operations in Africa.