UK announces £5 million in support for Somalia’s security forces

The UK Government has announced an additional £5 million in funding for the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Trust Fund to bolster support for Somalia’s Security Forces.

The new funding was announced during a meeting between Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, and the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs, Dame Sarah.

The Somalia army, supported by local forces and international partners, has liberated several major towns and villages since President Hassan Sheikh declared a total war against al Shabab. The President is currently in Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug, to intensify military operations in Galmudug and Hirshabelle.

The UK, a partner to the Somalia Security Forces (SSF) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) through the UNSOS Trust Fund, is also providing bilateral support to Somalia as it escalates its efforts against al-Shabaab.

Since 2022, the UK has reportedly committed over £10 million in support of the Somalia Security Forces via the UNSOS Trust Fund. Additionally, the UK has provided bilateral voluntary contributions for military stipends to ATMIS, totalling over £47 million since 2022