UN Staff Evacuated From Somalia to Kenya After UNTMIS Closure

MOGADISHU, Somalia — United Nations staff were evacuated from the Halane compound in Mogadishu on Sunday and flown to Nairobi, Kenya, aboard UN-chartered aircraft, according to information provided about the operation.

The evacuation came a day after the United Nations officially concluded its Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), marking the end of a political mission that had been part of the UN's engagement in the country for decades.

The staff were reportedly transported from Mogadishu to the Kenyan capital as the United Nations entered a new phase of its presence in Somalia following the closure of the mission on Oct. 31.

The end of UNTMIS was described as opening a new chapter in Somalia's relationship with the international organization, with greater responsibility expected to shift toward Somali institutions.

The mission's closure followed a two-year transition process aimed at gradually transferring responsibilities to the Somali government and strengthening national ownership of political and institutional affairs.

However, the conclusion of UNTMIS does not mean an end to the United Nations' presence in Somalia. Other UN agencies and programs are expected to continue operating in the country, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting development, peacebuilding and state-building efforts.

The Halane compound, located near Mogadishu's international airport, has served as a major base for international personnel and diplomatic operations in Somalia.

The reported evacuation has raised questions about the future arrangements for international staff based in the compound following the mission's closure.

It was not immediately clear how many UN personnel were transported to Nairobi or whether the movement was part of a previously planned relocation linked to the mission's transition.

The United Nations had maintained a political and peacebuilding presence in Somalia for more than three decades through successive missions, supporting efforts to restore state institutions, promote political reconciliation and strengthen security.

The closure of UNTMIS marks a significant shift in that engagement, although the organization is expected to maintain its broader partnership with Somalia through its remaining agencies and programs.

GAROWE ONLINE