Saturday September 27, 2025
New York (HOL) —
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met UN Secretary-General António
Guterres on Friday on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly,
reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation on peace, security and
development in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.
The talks focused on joint strategies to bolster security,
promote stability, and accelerate sustainable development initiatives.
Both
leaders emphasized that Somalia’s challenges from the threat of al-Shabaab to
humanitarian crises require sustained international engagement and effective
use of support.
The meeting came as Somalia and the African Union appealed
to donors to help plug a nearly $200 million shortfall for the African Union
Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The mission, launched in
January to succeed ATMIS, is tasked with guiding Somalia toward full security
ownership.
The AU has said AUSSOM will need $196 million in 2025. It
has already doubled its Peace Fund contribution to $20 million, but leaders
warn that without predictable and sustainable financing, fragile gains could be
undone.