Mogadishu, Somalia – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) on Sunday began implementing its plan to end its operations in the country, in preparation for the mission’s planned complete closure by the end of October 2026.
As part of the initial steps of the withdrawal process, a meeting was held in Dusamareb, the capital of Galmudug State, to discuss the handover and closure of the local mission office.
Handing over the premises and an invitation to utilize
The president of Galmudug state, Ahmed Abdi Kari (Qor Qor), announced that his administration had officially taken over the local UNSMIL building.
President Qoor Qoor urged other UN agencies operating in Somalia to make use of these vacated facilities to enhance service delivery to communities in Galmudug.
The handover ceremony was attended by James Swan, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, marking the start of the withdrawal process.
End of the peacebuilding support mandate
This step comes in implementation of the recent United Nations declaration confirming the complete conclusion of the UNSOM mandate by the end of October 2026. The mission has long supported peacebuilding and state-building efforts in Somalia.
The closure of the Dusamareb office marks the official start of the process of withdrawing the mission’s forces and bases nationwide, in preparation for the complete termination of its mission.
