The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is a special political mission of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Its primary purpose is to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in achieving peace, stability and reconciliation.[3] It works closely with and supports the work of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and, since 2022, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.[4][5]
United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia[a] | |
Hawlgalka Kaalmaynta Qaramada Midoobay ee Soomaaliya (UNSOM)[2] | |
Predecessor | United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)[1] |
---|---|
Formation | 3 June 2013 |
Type | Special political mission |
Legal status | Active |
Headquarters | Mogadishu, Somalia |
Head of Mission | Catriona Laing |
Parent organization | Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs |
Staff | 362[3] |
Website | unsom.unmissions.org |
UNSOM replaced the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), which was in existence from 15 April 1995 until the expiration of its Security Council mandate on 2 June 2013.[6][7]
The Mission has its headquarters in Mogadishu and also has offices in Kismaayo (in the state of Jubaland), Hargeisa (in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland), Garowe (Puntland), Baidoa (South West) and Belet Weyne (Hirshabelle).[4][8]
UNSOM was created by means of United Nations Security Council resolution 2102, adopted unanimously on 3 June 2013. Under that resolution, it is charged with:[9]
Originally established for an initial period of twelve months,[9] the Mission's mandate has been renewed by succcessive Security Council resolutions and is currently valid until 31 October 2024.[4]
The Mission comprises the following groups and sections:
The Mission is led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia. The Head of Mission is assisted by two Deputy Special Representatives.[27][3]
Head of Mission | Nationality | Appointed |
---|---|---|
Catriona Laing[28][27] | United Kingdom | 3 May 2023 |
James Swan[29] | United States | 30 May 2019 |
Nicholas Haysom[30] | South Africa | 12 September 2018 |
Michael Keating[31] | United Kingdom | 23 November 2015 |
Nicholas Kay[32][33] | United Kingdom | 29 April 2013 |
As of 30 November 2023[update], fourteen countries contribute a total of 647 personnel (military and civilian) to the mission:[34]
Country | Personnel |
---|---|
Brazil | 2 |
Finland | 1 |
Germany | 1 |
Ghana | 2 |
India | 1 |
Indonesia | 1 |
Nepal | 1 |
Sierra Leone | 1 |
Sweden | 2 |
Thailand | 2 |
Turkey | 1 |
Uganda | 627 |
United Kingdom | 2 |
Zimbabwe | 3 |