UNSOM replaced the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), which was in existence from 15 April 1995 until the expiration of its Security Council mandate on 2 June 2013.[6][7]
Providing good offices in support of Somalia's peace and reconciliation process
Providing the Somali government and AMISOM with strategic policy advice on peacebuilding and statebuilding.
Assisting the government in coordinating international donor support.
Building the capacity of the government to promote human rights, women's empowerment and child protection, to prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, to strengthen its institutions of justice, and to help ensure accountability for crimes.
Montoring and helping to investigate and prevent human rights abuses or violations of international humanitarian law, including those committed against children and women.
Originally established for an initial period of twelve months,[9] the Mission's mandate has been renewed by succcessive Security Council resolutions and is currently valid until 31 October 2024.[4]
Structure
A training session on human rights for police officers organized by UNDP, Human Rights Watch, UNSOM and AMISOM, held in Mogadishu in June 2014.
The Mission comprises the following groups and sections:
Political Affairs and Mediation Group (PMAG)[10]
Integrated Electoral Support Group (IESG)[11]
Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group (ROLSIG)[12]
Police Section[13]
Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Section (DDR)[14]
The Mission is led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia. The Head of Mission is assisted by two Deputy Special Representatives.[27][3]
Contributing countries
As of 30 November 2023[update], fourteen countries contribute a total of 647 personnel (military and civilian) to the mission:[34]
^French: Mission d'assistance des Nations Unies en Somalie (MANUSOM); Spanish: Misión de Asistencia de las Naciones Unidas en Somalia (UNSOM); Russian: Миссия Организации Объединенных Наций по содействию Сомали (МООНСОМ); Chinese: 联合国索马里援助团 (联索援助团); Arabic: بعثة الأمم المتحدة لتقديم المساعدة إلى الصومال.[1]
^ a b"United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia". United Nations: UNTERM. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^UNSOM Somali language site
^ a b c"UNSOM (UN Assistance Mission in Somalia)". United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^ a b c"Mandate". UNSOM. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General: On the Establishment of the African Union Transition Mission In Somalia (ATMIS)". United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"United Nations Political Office for Somalia". United Nations: UNTERM. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^"United Nations Political Office for Somalia". United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^UNSOM offices
^ a bSecurity Council Resolution 2102
^Political Affairs
^Integrated Electoral Support Group
^Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group
^Police Section
^Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Section
^Defence Sector Reform Section
^Joint Justice and Corrections Service
^Integrated Security Sector Reform Section
^United Nations Mine Action Service
^Human Rights and Protection Group
^Gender Office
^Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism
^Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Group
^Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Group
^Community Recovery and Extension of State Authority and Accountability Team
^Climate Security Team
^Youth Empowerment
^ a bUNSOM: Leadership
^"Secretary-General Appoints Catriona Laing of United Kingdom Special Representative for Somalia and Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia". United Nations: Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"Secretary-General Appoints James Swan of United States Special Representative, Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia". United Nations: Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"Secretary-General Appoints Nicholas Haysom of South Africa Special Representative, Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia". United Nations: Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"Secretary-General Appoints Michael Keating of United Kingdom Special Representative for Somalia". United Nations: Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"Secretary-General Appoints Nicholas Kay of United Kingdom as Special Representative for Somalia". United Nations: Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
^"The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia Nicholas Kay arrived in the Horn of African nation Monday, to take up his role as the head of the newly formed United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)". United Nations: UNifeed. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2024.