Tuesday September 19, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The UK Government has announced an additional £5 million in funding for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Trust Fund to bolster support for Somalia's Security Forces.
The new funding was announced during a meeting between Somalia's National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, and the UK's Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, during her visit to Somalia last week.
"The funding builds on the UK's substantial contributions to date through the UNSOS Trust Fund, which provides non-lethal logistical support to the SSF, which will include food, shelter and lifesaving medevac support. UK funding will provide ongoing support to the operations against al-Shabaab, but also assist Somalia Security Forces to build capacity as they take on greater responsibility for security," the UK government said.
The Somali army, supported by local forces and international partners, has liberated several major towns and villages since President Mohamud declared a total war against al Shabab. The President is currently in Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug, to intensify military operations in Galmudug and Hirshabelle.
The UK, a partner to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) through the UNSOS Trust Fund, is also providing bilateral support to Somalia as it escalates its efforts against al-Shabaab.
Since 2022, the UK has committed over £10 million in support of the Somali Security Forces via the UNSOS Trust Fund. Additionally, the UK has provided bilateral voluntary contributions for military stipends to ATMIS, totalling over £47 million since 2022.