Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed the country’s firm support for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, while calling for increased and sustainable international funding for the mission.
This position was conveyed during a High-Level Meeting on the Financing of AUSSOM held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The minister’s remarks were shared in a statement on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar emphasized the importance of global solidarity in sustaining the progress made in Somalia, urging the international community to strengthen its financial backing for AUSSOM to protect what he described as “hard-won gains.”
He described conferences like the New York meeting as critical for mobilising the resources and commitment required for the success of AUSSOM.
The minister also paid tribute to the mission’s troops and police officers, acknowledging their sacrifices in the pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia. He extended condolences to the families of personnel who lost their lives and wished quick recovery to those injured.
“Nigeria welcomes the efforts of Somali Security Forces and AUSSOM troops in reversing recent territorial gains by Al-Shabab, as well as the Somali Government’s commitment under President Hassan Mohamud, to accelerating national priorities,” Tuggar said.
Despite these efforts, the minister raised concerns over AUSSOM’s ongoing operational and financial challenges, warning that unless critical gaps—such as delayed troop allowances—are urgently addressed, the mission’s progress could be jeopardized.
He also pointed to other areas of concern, including force generation, access to satellite imagery, and the availability of essential operational equipment.
Tuggar described the current funding model for AUSSOM as “unpredictable, inadequate, and unsustainable.” While acknowledging the symbolic contributions made by African nations, he noted that these efforts alone were insufficient to meet the mission’s operational demands.
“Africa has demonstrated commitment by making symbolic contributions, but these fall short of what is required to meet the mission’s needs.
“We, therefore, call for urgent intervention from both traditional and non-traditional partners to prevent Somalia from becoming another scar on the conscience of the international community,” he added.
He stressed that AUSSOM plays a crucial role in the global fight against terrorism and aligns with the United Nations’ strategic interests in Africa. The minister called on the UN to fulfill its financial obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2719, highlighting that the lack of implementation continues to limit the mission’s effectiveness.
“Somalia’s strategic location requires that we continue to make sacrifices to prevent terrorist groups from overrunning the country.
“AUSSOM must be empowered to achieve its objectives, otherwise Somalia’s national development and security priorities will remain out of reach,” Tuggar stated.
