New York (Somalia Today) – The United States publicly disclosed that the 18-year conflict in Somalia has killed or injured 8,000 African Union troops, using the stark figure to underscore its demand for a “realistic” exit strategy even as the UN Security Council voted to extend the mission through 2026.
Speaking at the Council session where members unanimously adopted Resolution 2809 (2025), U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos, Representative for U.N. Management and Reform, broke with diplomatic convention by citing the specific casualty toll.
His remarks highlighted the heavy price paid by troop-contributing countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Burundi, whose losses officials rarely acknowledge in open forums.
“We recognize the 8,000 AU troops who have been killed or injured in the line of duty over the last 18 years,” Bartos said. Despite this sacrifice and billions in U.S. funding, he noted that the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces remains “elusive.”
‘Sunset looming’
The Council’s resolution extends the authorization of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) until December 31, 2026, maintaining a troop ceiling of 11,826 uniformed personnel.
However, Washington signaled that its support has limits. Ambassador Bartos explicitly called for a credible roadmap for “ultimately sunsetting the mission,” marking one of the clearest signals yet that the U.S. seeks to wind down the decades-long operation.
Reinforcing this push for transition, the Council also decided that the separate UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) must cease all operations by October 31, 2026.
This decision imposes a strict timeline for the handover of political and security responsibilities, effectively placing the Somali government on notice.
Funding disputes
Ambassador Bartos revealed that the U.S. provided nearly $1.6 billion in direct support to troop-contributing countries, as well as another $2 billion in assessed contributions to the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
He argued that future efforts must prioritize “optimizing resources” and implementing clear performance benchmarks rather than writing blank checks.
The funding debate exposed deep rifts among major powers. China’s delegate warned that the “funding gap facing AUSSOM is unsustainable,” noting that Beijing shoulders nearly a quarter of the unsourced budget.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone, speaking for the African bloc (A3), cautioned that “chronic underfunding” risks reversing hard-won gains against Al-Shabaab and expressed regret that the final text failed to reflect their core financial concerns.
Internal discords
Beyond the budget, the U.S. issued a sharp critique of Somalia’s internal political fragmentation. Bartos urged the Federal Government, member states, and clans to “come together” to address the country’s security challenges.
This diplomatic language points to the ongoing friction between Mogadishu, opposition groups, and regional states like Jubaland and Puntland, which frequently distracts from the fight against Al-Shabaab.
Bartos warned that the responsibility for combating terrorism must shift to “those who have the most at stake,” a clear message that Somali leadership must resolve the domestic disputes hampering military progress.
Russia took a contrasting stance, arguing that domestic political issues in Somalia appear “secondary” and should not condition support for African peacekeepers.
Conversely, the U.S. maintained that political unity determines success.
In a final note reflecting broader tensions within the Security Council, Bartos expressed frustration with members who used the renewal process to push “distracting and divisive language, including on gender,” arguing that the focus must remain strictly on security outcomes.
