By HER staff reporter
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) is set to end its mandate on October 31, 2026, closing a chapter of more than three decades of UN political engagement in the Horn of Africa country as responsibility for state-building increasingly shifts to Somali institutions.
The closure follows a two-year transition process under which the United Nations has been transferring the mission’s responsibilities to Somalia’s federal and regional institutions and other UN agencies operating in the country.
The transition is guided by UN Security Council resolutions 2753 (2024) and 2809 (2025), following a request by the Federal Government of Somalia to phase out the specialized political mission and strengthen national ownership of governance and institution-building.
The decision marks a significant change in the UN’s engagement with Somalia, where successive missions have supported political reconciliation, constitutional development, electoral processes and efforts to restore state institutions since the collapse of the central government in 1991.
In a statement issued by UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General commended the Somali people for their resilience and the progress achieved in peacebuilding and recovery.
Guterres also expressed appreciation for former and current special representatives and the national and international personnel who served in Somalia under difficult and often dangerous conditions. He paid tribute to UN staff members who lost their lives while carrying out their duties.
“The Secretary-General commends the progress achieved over the past decades towards building peace and security in Somalia,” Dujarric said in the statement, highlighting the country’s journey from conflict toward recovery.
The end of UNTMIS does not signify a complete withdrawal of the United Nations from Somalia. Instead, the organization’s engagement is expected to continue through its resident agencies, funds and specialized programmes, with greater emphasis on development, humanitarian assistance and support for national institutions.
Responsibilities previously handled by the political mission, including governance support, judicial reform, constitutional processes, electoral assistance and human rights monitoring, are being transferred to relevant Somali institutions and other UN entities under the transition arrangements.
Agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the UN refugee agency are expected to continue their respective development and humanitarian activities.
The transition reflects the Somali government’s effort to assume greater responsibility for national priorities while maintaining cooperation with international partners.
Security remains another central concern. Somali authorities will continue working with regional and international partners, including the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as the country seeks to strengthen its security forces and expand government control.
Despite progress in rebuilding state institutions, Somalia continues to face major security, political and humanitarian challenges that could complicate the transition.
The armed group Al-Shabaab remains a significant threat, carrying out attacks against security forces, government institutions and civilians. The continuing insurgency places pressure on Somali security institutions as they assume greater responsibility for protecting the country.
Political relations between the federal government and regional member states also remain important to the country’s stability. Disagreements over governance, power-sharing and political processes could undermine efforts to build consensus and strengthen federal institutions.
Human rights protection and humanitarian needs present additional challenges. Conflict and displacement have left vulnerable communities dependent on assistance, while survivors of conflict-related sexual violence require continued protection and specialized support.
As the mission prepares to close, the United Nations has emphasized the importance of sustained international engagement to preserve the gains made in peacebuilding and state reconstruction.
Continued support will be needed to strengthen Somali security institutions, encourage inclusive political dialogue, improve governance and protect civilians, particularly displaced people and other vulnerable groups.
The closure of UNTMIS represents a milestone in Somalia’s efforts to exercise greater control over its political and institutional development. However, the transfer of responsibilities also places greater demands on national and regional authorities to maintain stability, deliver public services and advance political reconciliation.
For more than three decades, UN missions have operated in Somalia amid conflict, institutional collapse and successive efforts to rebuild the state. The end of UNTMIS therefore marks not the conclusion of Somalia’s wider recovery process, but a shift in how international support is organized.
