The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)
Context
Recently, the UNSC endorsed the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) to tackle Somalia’s ongoing security issues caused by its civil war and terrorist threats from groups like Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State.
Relevance:
GS-2 (International Relations)
Key highlights:
- The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) will replace the Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) after its mandate concludes on December 31, 2024.
- ATMIS is an active African Union transition and drawdown mission from peacekeeping operations in Somalia mandated by the United Nations Security Council.
- The mission supports the Somali government in assuming greater responsibility for its security through the Somali Transition Plan (STP).
- STP is a comprehensive guide by Somalia and partners for transferring security responsibility from the African Union to the Federal Government of Somalia.
About AUSSOM:
- The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) when its mandate expires on December 31, 2024.
- Transitioning Responsibility: Since 2022, ATMIS has reduced its troop numbers by 7,000, while AUSSOM is committed to continuing support for Somali forces in securing and stabilising the country.
- Mandate and Operations: The mission allows African Union member states to deploy up to 12,626 personnel, including 1,040 police officers, until June 2025 to counter terrorism and uphold security.
- Financing: AUSSOM is proposed to be funded through a hybrid model, with 75% coming from UN assessed contributions and 25% from African Union and partner contributions, ensuring a steady and reliable funding source for African peacekeeping efforts.
India’s Contributions to Peacekeeping
- India has been the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, with over 253,000 personnel serving since 1948.
- Noteworthy Deployments:
- Haiti (2017-2019): Provided Formed Police Units.
- Liberia (2007-2016): An all-women police unit inspired local female participation in law enforcement.
Conclusion
The UNSC’s endorsement of AUSSOM highlights ongoing international efforts to stabilise Somalia. However, the history of peacekeeping missions underlines the importance of clear mandates, adequate resources, and strong global partnerships to achieve lasting peace.