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Kenya and Finland have renewed their commitment to help Somalia achieve lasting peace and stability, especially as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) continues to withdraw its forces. This was confirmed during a high-level meeting between Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
The two leaders met at the historic Kultaranta Presidential Castle in Naantali, Finland, on the sidelines of the Kultaranta Talks—a key forum for discussing global and regional security issues.
CS Mudavadi said their discussions focused on the growing security challenges in Africa, with special attention to the Horn of Africa, where Somalia continues to face insecurity and political instability. He emphasized the need to keep international attention and support on Somalia’s peacebuilding journey, especially as ATMIS continues its planned exit from the country.
“With the drawdown of ATMIS and rising regional tensions, it’s important that the global community remains engaged and supportive of Somalia’s path to peace,” said Mudavadi.
Both Kenya and Finland agreed that African-led solutions are key to solving the continent’s challenges. They expressed strong support for regional bodies like the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). These organizations, they noted, are well-placed to guide long-term peace efforts, as they understand the regional context better than outside actors.
The leaders also discussed the idea of involving respected figures—known as eminent persons—to help mediate dialogue and reduce tensions in conflict-prone areas. Such individuals, with broad credibility and experience, could play a neutral role in promoting peace.
President Stubb assured Kenya of continued European support for African regional institutions. He acknowledged their critical role in creating sustainable peace across the continent.
“I appreciated President Stubb’s promise that Europe will continue supporting African efforts to build peace and security,” Mudavadi added.
However, Somalia’s road to peace faces serious challenges. Earlier this year, ATMIS was officially replaced by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). But the new mission is already facing a major problem—lack of funding.
AUSSOM currently has no reliable source of money, and efforts to get international financial support have not succeeded. The United Nations Security Council missed a deadline to provide funding, and the United States has declined to contribute. Washington cited issues with how the mission operates and expressed concerns about whether the funding burden is being shared fairly among countries.
This funding gap is putting AUSSOM’s operations at risk. Without enough money, the mission could struggle to maintain security in Somalia. This could undo years of progress made in improving stability, not just in Somalia, but across the Horn of Africa.
In light of this, Kenya and Finland’s show of support for Somalia is a positive sign. But it also highlights the urgent need for the global community to step up and ensure that African-led missions like AUSSOM get the resources they need.
As security dynamics shift in the region, experts warn that a lack of support for Somalia could open the door for extremist groups to regain ground. That’s why ongoing diplomatic efforts, such as the Kenya-Finland partnership, are so critical to Somalia’s future.
In conclusion, Kenya and Finland’s renewed commitment offers hope—but real progress will require strong financial backing, international cooperation, and continued African leadership to bring lasting peace to Somalia and the wider region.