Friday September 26, 2025
New York (HOL) - The United Kingdom (UK) has on Thursday announced
a further £6 million (over $8 million USD) in funding for the Somali Security
Forces (SSF) Trust Fund administered by the United Nations Support Office in
Somalia (UNSOS).
British Ambassador to Somalia, Charles King, said the latest
funding affirms the UK’s commitment to the fight against Al-Shabaab and
supporting Somalia’s security transition process.
“We want to see this latest support improving the capacity
of Somali forces on the ground, helping them make progress against Al Shabaab.
The non-lethal logistical support provided by UNSOS is ensuring that soldiers
on the frontline receive vital items, equipment and emergency medical services
which are crucial in boosting their morale and ensuring efficient operations,”
said Ambassador King.
Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Awes Hagi Yusuf Ahmed,
welcomed the new funding noting the impact of the fund to Somalia’s improved
security situation. He urged other donors and international partners to support
the fund, pledging the government’s commitment to ensure transparency in
utilization of the funds.
“We want to assure both the Somali people and the UK that
the supported provided will be used effectively and transparently. As a
government, we are accountable, not only to the Somali citizens, but also to
the UK taxpayers because they want to know how their contributions are
impacting the security situation in Somalia,” said the National Security
Advisor.
“We are committed to full transparency and accountability to
all-whether they are Somali’s or UK citizens providing us with support.”
The Officer-in-Charge Head of UNSOS, Qurat-Ul-Ain Sadozai,
noted that the support provided by the UK is essential and core to the
sustenance of the SSF Trust Fund, and Somali security forces on the frontline.
“I want to recognize the partnership with the UK and express
our gratitude for their support. We also commend and acknowledge the bravery of
the Somali Security Forces (SSF) working jointly with African Union (AU) troops
in ensuring that Somalia remains safe. UNSOS commits to continue providing the
necessary support required for efficient operations,” noted Ms. Sadozai.
The latest tranche builds on the UK’s substantial funding
support to UNSOS, which provides non-lethal logistical support to the SSF
including food rations, fuel, tentage, communication equipment and life-saving
medevac support. UNSOS also provides essential capacity building training to
SSF personnel to enable them to effectively take over security
responsibilities.
In 2024, UK funding to the SSF Trust Fund enabled UNSOS to
deliver 6,000 tons of food rations and 2,000 tons of diesel fuel to the SSF, as
well as providing casualty evacuations (casevac) for hundreds of wounded
personnel. The latest contribution will be an added boost to this essential
logistical support.
UNSOS, currently supports 18,900 SSF personnel and requires
adequate funding to scale up the numbers to 20,900 in line with UN Security
Council Resolution 2767 of December 2024.