(20-09-23) MOGADISHU — The United Kingdom has committed an additional £5 million to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) Trust Fund, with this significant financial contribution aiming to bolster Somalia’s security forces. The announcement came to light during a meeting held between Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, and Dame Sarah MacIntosh, the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser for International Affairs, on her recent trip to Somalia.
The newly pledged amount reinforces the UK’s already robust contributions to the UNSOS Trust Fund. This fund plays a crucial role in extending non-lethal logistical backing to the Somalia Security Forces, encompassing essentials like food, shelter, and crucial medevac support. Additionally, these funds are earmarked not only for operations targeting the extremist group Al-Shabaab but also to fortify the capacity of the Somalia Security Forces. This reinforcement aims at ensuring the forces take on an elevated role in upholding the nation’s security.
Speaking on the matter, Deputy National Security Adviser, Dame Sarah MacIntosh, said, “The UK and Somalia security partnership is key in ushering in stability and security both in Somalia and the broader region. We remain steadfast in our commitment to back Somali-led initiatives that focus on countering terrorism and bringing about a semblance of stability in reclaimed regions of the country.”
The latest pledge underscores the UK’s unwavering support for the Somali government in its vision of a stable and secure nation. Collaboration between the UK and Somalia, spanning across security, economic, and developmental sectors, continues to forge a path towards a more promising future for the people of Somalia.
Halqabsi News
