Wednesday June 18, 2025

Nairobi (HOL) –  Kenya
and Finland have reiterated their commitment to supporting Somalia’s
peacebuilding efforts, especially amid the ongoing drawdown of the African
Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and increasing regional
sensitivities.

The pledge was made during a high-level consultative
dialogue between Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs,
Musalia Mudavadi, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, held at the historic
Kultaranta Presidential Castle on the sidelines of the ongoing Kultaranta Talks
in Naantali.

In a statement, CS Mudavadi highlighted that the discussions
focused on the evolving security dynamics in Africa, particularly the Horn of
Africa.

“We underscored the critical need to sustain international
momentum behind Somalia’s peacebuilding process, especially in light of the
ongoing ATMIS drawdown and heightened regional sensitivities,” said Mudavadi.

The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to
multilateralism and emphasized the importance of African-led solutions through
regional frameworks such as the East African Community (EAC), the Southern
African Development Community (SADC), and the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) as the foundation for long-term peace.

They also discussed the potential of engaging eminent
persons to facilitate dialogue and promote stability across conflict-prone
areas.

President Stubb assured Kenya of Europe’s continued support
for Africa’s regional institutions as they strive for sustainable peace and
security.

“I welcomed President Stubb’s assurance of Europe’s
continued support for Africa’s regional bodies as they pursue lasting peace and
security on the continent,” Mudavadi stated.

Meanwhile, the African Union Support and Stabilization
Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which officially replaced ATMIS in early 2025, is
facing a critical financial shortfall. The mission lacks a stable funding
mechanism, and efforts to secure international support have faltered. The UN
Security Council missed a key deadline to provide financial backing, while the
United States has declined to contribute, citing operational inefficiencies and
concerns over fair burden-sharing.

The funding crisis poses a significant threat to the
mission’s ability to operate effectively, potentially undermining hard-won
security gains in Somalia and across the region.