AU Approves $10 Million to Support New Somalia Peace Mission Amid Funding Shortfalls  

ADDIS ABABA - Under the new peace operation in Somalia, the African Union has approved $10 million for assistance towards the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) due to rising security and fiscal pressure.

Several stakeholders, including the United States, have significantly reduced the financial support for the mission, leading to fiscal gaps that could suddenly affect the operation and the gains made in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

At Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, the AU Executive Council's 47th session approved the funds to be drawn from the AU Emergency Contingency Reserve Fund, meant to supplement such engagements across the continent.

The funding is aimed at strengthening AUSSOM’s operational capacity as it takes over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which concluded its mandate earlier this year, officials said.

“This support is critical to enable AUSSOM to fulfill its mandate under difficult financial and security conditions,” the AU said in a statement, calling for increased international political and financial support.

AUSSOM took over security responsibilities in the Horn of Africa nation this year, but it has struggled with logistics due to reduced funding from stakeholders. The force is also being downsized in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan (STP).

But several Troops Contributing Countries maintain that the number should be increased to tackle Al-Shabaab's rising insurgency. The al-Shabaab recently seized Adan Yabaal and Moqokori towns, dealing a blow to Somali forces.

President Donald Trump says the US will only sustain the mission if other contributors match the support from Washington. There are fears that the militants could run over the country should the support from multinationals stop.

GAROWE ONLINE