The United Nations has ended its political mission in Somalia, concluding more than three decades of involvement in rebuilding the country following civil war and leaving no agreed international mechanism to mediate an unresolved election dispute.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) ceased operations on Saturday following a two-year transition requested by the Somali government in 2024.
Its responsibilities have been transferred to Somali institutions and other UN bodies under a Security Council-approved arrangement.
The Somali government has presented the closure as a milestone in national sovereignty after years of occasionally strained relations with UN representatives.
At a farewell ceremony in Mogadishu, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama welcomed the departure as evidence of Somalia's institutional progress.
However, the withdrawal comes amid disagreements over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's tenure and parliamentary mandates.
Constitutional amendments extended presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, with the government maintaining that current officeholders can remain until 2027.
Opposition leaders reject applying those changes to sitting officials, arguing that their mandates have expired.
UN-backed mediation efforts in July failed to resolve the dispute, following clashes between opposition supporters and security forces in Mogadishu in June.
Mohamud has invited political leaders to talks scheduled for November 14-18, although major opposition groups have not confirmed participation.
The mission's departure also coincides with continued fighting against al-Shabab, the al-Qaeda-linked armed group controlling extensive rural territory and conducting attacks in Somali cities.
An ambush in southern Somalia reportedly killed at least 20 soldiers, according to an officer interviewed by the Associated Press, although the casualties remain independently unverified.
African Union troops will continue supporting Somali forces, while UN humanitarian and development agencies remain operational.
However, international funding reductions have weakened assistance, with UNICEF reporting that 205 health and nutrition facilities had closed by August.
A separate UN office supplying African Union operations could face closure by December 2027 under a US-backed proposal.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged Somalia's progress while urging sustained international support amid continuing political, security and humanitarian challenges.