The UN Security Council today unanimously approved the creation of a transition mission for Somalia (UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia, UNTMIS). This decision was based on a proposal by the Somali government. UNTMIS will replace its predecessor, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), on 1 January 2025. The objectives of UNTMIS include supporting Somalia in the area of state-building and promoting human rights, as well as the gradual transfer of individual tasks to the Somali government and international actors on the ground.
Switzerland supported the resolution in New York, addressing Somalia’s complex and ongoing internal security challenges. Central to these issues is the persistent threat posed by the armed group Al-Shabaab, which continues to carry out deadly attacks and destabilize the country despite efforts by the Somali government and international partners. Climate change also impacts the security situation, with the escalation in fighting against Al-Shabaab coinciding with the effects of a prolonged drought, worsening an already precarious humanitarian situation. At the same time, Somalia is undergoing a transition, and the newly adopted resolution supports the continued transfer of responsibilities from the UN to the Somali government, including child protection initiatives.
During negotiations on the UNTMIS resolution, Switzerland actively advocated for prioritizing civilian protection and adherence to international humanitarian law in the Security Council’s mandate, given the ongoing conflict with Al-Shabaab. Switzerland regrets that the resolution does not explicitly address climate change’s adverse effects on Somalia’s humanitarian crisis or the necessity of involving women in peace processes. Nonetheless, this resolution marks an important milestone in further defining Somalia’s transition process. Throughout the negotiation process, Switzerland emphasized that addressing Somalia's challenges requires a holistic, preventative approach beyond military solutions.
