Mahmud Ali Youssouf urges global commitment as African Union peacekeeping mission faces funding crisis in Somalia.
The African Union’s newly appointed Chairperson, Mahmud Ali Youssouf, has urgently appealed for greater international funding and commitment to stabilize Somalia, warning that the AU peacekeeping mission faces a severe funding shortage at a critical juncture.
In recent remarks alongside Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Youssouf emphasized that Somalia’s security remains a global priority, urging international partners to actively support ongoing stabilization efforts. He stressed that increased resources are essential to reinforce the fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, which continues to threaten Somalia’s fragile peace and security.
“I have already started discussions in Addis Ababa with some of our partners to ensure that Somalia is not neglected. Somalia remains at the centre of international interest,” Youssouf declared. He further emphasized the international community’s crucial role in addressing threats beyond Somalia’s borders, including piracy in critical waterways such as the Gulf of Aden, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Somali Sea.
Youssouf’s call highlights Somalia’s strategic importance and underscores the pressing need for continued and substantial international involvement to secure lasting peace and stability. Without swift global action, he warned, the progress made could unravel quickly, allowing Al-Shabaab to exploit the gaps left by underfunded security operations.
