Mogadishu, 30 April 2026 – A United Kingdom (UK) government delegation has concluded a two-day visit to the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), undertaking a strategic mission assessment ahead of forthcoming deliberations by the United Nations Security Council on the mission’s mandate and support operations.
The five-member delegation—comprising representatives from the UK Mission to the United Nations, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the UK Joint Peacekeeping Unit—engaged with UNSOS leadership and technical teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mission’s operating environment.
During the visit, the delegation met with Acting Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNSOS, Ms. Qurat Ul-Ain Sadozai, alongside UNSOS Pillar Heads where they were briefed on the UN logistical support to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in support of Somali-led operations.
They also received briefings from the Joint Operations Centre at the AUSSOM Force Headquarters and UNSOS Movements Section, providing detailed insights into coordination structures, logistics, and support delivery mechanisms.
A site visit to the Movements Section at the Aden Adde International Airport offered the delegation a closer look at how UNSOS aviation and logistics operations sustain frontline activities across Somalia in support of AUSSOM and the Somali Security Forces. The visit highlighted the mission’s critical role in enabling the efficient movement of personnel, including MEDEVAC and CASEVAC, and equipment within a complex and high-risk environment.
Beyond operational delivery, discussions underscored UNSOS’s long-term contribution to strengthening national capacity in Somalia. Through mentoring and skills development initiatives—including in the aviation sector—the mission is helping to build a new generation of Somali professionals. Capacity-building and knowledge transfer remain central to Somalia’s security transition and long-term institutional resilience.
The delegation was also briefed on UNSOS’s provision of logistical support to AUSSOM, Somali security forces, and United Nations agencies, within the broader political and security context. Particular attention was given to financial and liquidity constraints facing the mission and their implications for sustaining critical support functions.
Engagements further explored UNSOS collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia and AUSSOM to align planning and delivery, as well as contingency measures, including potential impact on operations and finances of prolonged oil shocks due the global crisis.
“We value the work UNSOS delivers and remain committed to supporting it through funding and personnel,” said William Hewstone, First Secretary for Security at the British Embassy in Somalia and head of the delegation. “What stands out is the dedication of staff and the risks they take daily to deliver results for Somalia and the African Union.”
This visit is the first time the United Kingdom has used its Strategic Mission Assessment Tool (SMAT) for a United Nations support office. Developed in 2017, SMAT helps assess peacekeeping missions and guide decisions when their mandates are reviewed. Findings from the assessment are expected to inform ongoing discussions on peacekeeping reform and future support arrangements for Somalia, including considerations related to mission transitions and evolving operational demands.
