Naantali, Finland — Kenya and Finland have stepped up with a united call to keep Somalia’s fragile peace on track, just as the African Union peacekeeping mission wraps up and financial lifelines start to fray.
During high-level talks at the historic Kultaranta Presidential Castle, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb reaffirmed their countries’ joint support for Somalia’s stabilization efforts amid growing regional tensions.
“With ATMIS drawing down, the region cannot afford to look away,” Mudavadi said. “We must maintain momentum and stand with Somalia through this transition.”
The two leaders emphasized the need for African-led solutions—championed through regional bodies like IGAD, EAC, and SADC—and floated the idea of deploying respected African figures to spearhead dialogue in volatile zones.
President Stubb pledged Europe’s ongoing support for peace and security efforts across Africa.
“His assurance sends a powerful message of solidarity at a critical time,” said Mudavadi.
But while diplomatic support grows louder, boots on the ground face a bigger problem: money is running out.
AUSSOM—the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, which officially replaced ATMIS in early 2025—is teetering on the edge of a funding cliff. The UN missed a major financing deadline, and the U.S. has backed out, citing inefficiency and concerns over fair cost-sharing.
Now, experts warn that without urgent international support, Somalia could see its hard-won security gains unravel.
COMMENTS