The United Kingdom has announced a £5 million ($6.6 million) aid package to support the Somali National Army via the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Trust Fund. The funding will provide essential non-lethal supplies, such as food rations and communications equipment, to boost the army’s operational capacity.
UNSOS highlighted that this aid will help the Somali Security Forces carry out joint operations with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as they gradually take over national security responsibilities.
Somalia’s Defence Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, welcomed the support, describing it as vital to the country’s security infrastructure and future stability.
Since 2022, the UK has contributed over £28 million to support Somalia’s security forces through UNSOS.
This latest aid pledge comes amid rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia following Ethiopia’s sea access agreement with Somaliland, which Somalia considers a breach of its sovereignty. In response, Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia. Turkiye has been mediating the conflict, but recent talks in Ankara have yet to resolve the dispute.