By contributing an additional £2.3 million to the Trust Fund of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), the UK Government has strengthened its support for the Somali Security Forces (SSF).
The fresh financing was disclosed at a meeting between Kate Foster, the UK ambassador to Somalia, and H.E. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the recently reappointed minister of defence. The additional donation to the UNSOS Trust Fund will make it possible to provide vital, non-lethal logistical help, such as food, medical evacuation, and other supplies.
The UK’s £2.3 million contribution to the UNSOS Trust Fund will be crucial in maintaining SSF capabilities to over 10,000 Somali troops in the fight against Al-Shabaab
KATE FOSTER, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO SOMALIA.
The new financing adds to the UK’s ongoing assistance to the UNSOS Trust Fund and the Somali Security Forces. The UNSOS Trust Fund received £4.9 million from the UK in 2021/2022, enough money to sustain Somali military and police officers for a whole year.
In addition to providing military assistance to the SNA, the UK also contributes to the UNSOS Trust Fund. Over 2000 SNA soldiers have been trained by the UK since 2016.
To aid in their fight against Al-Shabab, the training focuses on a variety of topics, including gender training and human rights, as well as defensive operations, fundamental command and control, the rules of armed conflict, leadership, live firing, and combat first aid.