This article only references primary sources.(March 2024) |
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 |
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]
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 |