Somali government objects to AU-UN hybrid force replacing AMISOM

The Somali Federal Government (SFG) announced on 12 October that it “strongly disapproves” of a proposal to replace the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with a new hybrid Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AU-UNMIS).

At a 7 October meeting in Addis Ababa, the African Union's Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) endorsed the establishment of the AU-UNMIS, which it said would “ensure predictable and sustainable multiyear financing for the future mission through UN-assessed contributions”.

It said the new mission would have “balanced military and police components” commensurate with what it described as a worsening security situation, but also a strengthened civilian component “to provide robust political engagement that can assist the political process”. It noted that Somalia's progress towards a new constitution and democratic elections has been delayed by a dispute between the president and prime minister.

A statement released by the Somali foreign ministry on 12 October expressed “grave concern at the AU-PSC's continued disregard of Somalia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence”.

It said the SFG had previously rejected the AU-UNMIS proposal and had worked with an AU technical team to draft the role and structure of a new AU transition mission. However, this has been ignored by the AU-PSC.

“The AU-PSC must recognise any future AU transition mission will be dependent on the consent of the host country,” it added.