In News:

• On January 19, 2024, the UN Security Council approved a new African Union (AU) force in Somalia to counter the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
• The resolution was supported by 14 of 15 members, with the US abstaining due to concerns about funding.
• The new force will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) after its mandate ends on December 31, 2024.

New Mission - AUSSOM:

• The new mission is named African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
• AUSSOM will continue supporting Somali forces in stabilizing the nation and combating terrorism.
• The mission's objective is to enhance security and stability in Somalia, addressing the challenges posed by Al-Shabaab and ISIL.

Mandate and Operations:

• AUSSOM allows for the deployment of up to 12,626 personnel, including 1,040 police officers, until June 2025.
• The force will focus on counterterrorism, maintaining security, and assisting the Somali government in stabilizing the country.

Financing:

• A hybrid funding approach will be used:
  • 75% of the mission’s costs will be covered by the UN, and 25% will come from African Union and partner countries.
• The US raised concerns about the UN's disproportionate funding of the mission, which led to its abstention from voting.

Contributing Countries:

• Egypt has announced its participation in the new force.
• Burundi and Ethiopia will not be contributing troops to AUSSOM.
• Ethiopia has its own ongoing disputes with Somalia, particularly regarding its maritime deal with the breakaway Somaliland region.

Background on Somalia's Challenges:

• Somalia has faced decades of civil war, an insurgency by Al-Shabaab, and recurring climate disasters.
• The country is one of the poorest in the world, and its internal conflicts are exacerbated by clannism, which has fragmented its political and social structure.

Historical Context of Peace Missions in Somalia:

• Previous UN peacekeeping missions in Somalia (1992-1995) faced significant failures, notably the Battle of Mogadishu and the failure to prevent the 1993 massacre.
• The rise of Al-Shabaab in the mid-2000s has further escalated the conflict, and the mission of AUSSOM aims to address these continuing threats.

The Role of Clannism:

• Clannism has hindered the establishment of a unified government in Somalia, with clan rivalries leading to a lack of national cohesion.
  • Clannism refers to the prevalence of clan-centric politics, where allegiance to clan and sub-clan interests often takes precedence over national cohesion. In Somalia, the major clans are Darod, Hawiye, Dir, and Rahanweyn.

Importance of AUSSOM:

• AUSSOM represents a strategic shift in the international approach to stabilizing Somalia, relying more on African-led initiatives for peace and security in the region.

Global Peacekeeping Operations:

• The UN peacekeeping mission has been active globally, with over 1 million personnel deployed across 70+ operations.
• Success stories like Sierra Leone (1999-2005) and Liberia (2003-2018) demonstrate the potential impact of well-executed peace missions, but past failures like in Somalia (1992-1995) and Rwanda (1994) underline the challenges faced.

India’s Contribution:

• India has contributed significantly to UN peacekeeping missions, deploying over 253,000 personnel in 49 operations since 1948.
• India’s contributions to missions in Somalia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Sudan reflect its active role in global peacekeeping efforts.