UN closes Somalia mission, ending three decades of political engagement

The United Nations has closed its political mission in Somalia , ending more than three decades of efforts to help the country rebuild after civil war. The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) ceased operations on Saturday after completing a two-year transition requested by the Somali government, the mission said in a statement on X. Its responsibilities have been gradually transferred to Somali institutions, UN agencies and the UN office supporting African Union (AU) troops under a roadmap agreed between Somalia and the UN. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Somalia’s progress but called for continued international backing amid political, security and humanitarian challenges.