UN Reaffirms Support for Somalia as Mission’s Mandate Nears End

The United Nations has reaffirmed its continued support for Somalia as the mandate of its transitional assistance mission is set to expire at the end of this month.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said the mission’s conclusion would mark the end of more than three decades of UN missions in the country.

The milestone closes a long chapter of the organisation’s mission-based engagement in Somalia, with the current operation focused on assistance during the transition.

The UN’s message nevertheless underscored that the end of the mission’s mandate does not mean an end to its support for Somalia.