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As the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) approaches its December 31, 2024, deadline, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to secure funding for the successor mission, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The transition is critical to Somalia’s stability but faces severe financial and logistical hurdles.
ATMIS Drawdown and AUSSOM Transition
ATMIS has been operational since April 2022, tasked with aiding Somalia’s security sector and countering Al-Shabaab insurgents. AUSSOM is set to take over on January 1, 2025, with a smaller operational footprint. However, ongoing financial challenges threaten the mission’s implementation. ATMIS has already accumulated a $150 million funding deficit, exacerbated by dwindling contributions from international donors.
To ensure AUSSOM’s effectiveness, the AU advocates for the adoption of a hybrid funding model under UN Resolution 2719. This framework proposes financing 75% of AUSSOM’s troop reimbursements and logistics through UN-assessed contributions.
Key Challenges
1. Funding Gaps: The European Union, historically a major funder, has called for broader financial contributions, placing pressure on other international actors. The U.S. remains hesitant about fully implementing Resolution 2719, citing premature action as a concern.
2. Logistical Deficiencies: ATMIS has faced operational setbacks due to inadequate air assets and limited reach in remote areas. AUSSOM will require advanced capabilities to fulfill its mandate effectively.
3. Unresolved Troop Composition: Questions linger over whether current ATMIS personnel will transition to AUSSOM or be replaced entirely. This ambiguity could delay deployment and create a security vacuum.
Diverging Opinions on Financing
The UNSC is divided on the issue of funding. The United Kingdom has proposed multiple options, including:
Continuing the existing EU-dominated funding model.
Employing a two-budget system under Resolution 2719, with separate financing for AUSSOM and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
Establishing a trust fund for voluntary contributions.
Geopolitical Tensions
Ethiopia’s role in the mission remains contentious. While Ethiopia’s participation was initially opposed by Somalia due to political disputes, recent developments under the Ankara Declaration indicate a potential shift in stance.
Urgency and Next Steps
With the ATMIS deadline imminent, stakeholders in Addis Ababa, Mogadishu, and New York must expedite negotiations to prevent a security vacuum. Analysts suggest a possible technical rollover of ATMIS or a simultaneous operation of both missions to ensure a smooth transition.
The joint AU-UN report submitted to the UNSC on November 26 emphasizes the urgency of implementing a viable funding mechanism, highlighting the dire consequences of an underfunded peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
This transition marks a pivotal moment in Somalia’s efforts to stabilize and counteract insurgency threats, necessitating swift and coordinated international action.