Latest news with #AUSSOM
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican senators move to block Somalia funding until allies pay 'fair share'
FIRST ON FOX : Fox News Digital has learned that the U.S. could withhold funding for the war against Islamist terror in Somalia until Europe, the African Union (A.U.) and the United Nations (U.N.) pay more of their "fair" share toward the cost of striking out and keeping the peace in the conflict-torn country. These plans to "prohibit" the use of U.S. funds are key details, shown first to Fox News Digital, of a new bill to be introduced by three prominent Republican senators. In line with President Donald Trump's administration's widespread moves to tighten fiscal controls in the U.S. and overseas, Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., are to introduce "the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Funding Restriction Act of 2025." This is "to safeguard U.S. taxpayer funds and hold the U.N. and A.U. accountable in African peace operations," Risch told Fox News Digital. Trump Says He Ordered Airstrikes On Isis Leaders In Somalia The bill also seeks to mandate the U.S. to oppose any U.N. Security Council action which enables such funding. Read On The Fox News App The East African country of Somalia has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab. In just the past five weeks, U.S. Africa Command reported that it has carried out four airstrikes; three against ISIS terrorists and one against al-Shabaab. At least one of these strikes, the command stated, was against multiple targets. Chairman Risch told Fox News Digital, "The Trump Administration has taken decisive action to counterterrorist groups across Africa, and I'm very supportive." However, officials from the European Union, according to Risch, plan to skew payments for the AUSSOM peacekeeping and stablization operation more toward the U.S.; in other words, make the U.S. pay more than it should, he said. "At the U.N., our European partners are looking to skirt their financial commitments to AUSSOM in Somalia by switching to a new imbalanced funding mechanism that pushes the burden on Americans," he stated. Us–russia Flashpoint Looms Over Putin's Plans For African Naval Base "We can't let that stand," Risch continued. "This bill will prohibit U.S. contributions to AUSSOM under this new funding scheme, until the A.U. and the U.N. can prove that they are using the funds they have responsibly, and prevent Americans from being locked into perpetually funding a broken system." Risch said, "President Trump has ushered in a new era of American foreign policy where American taxpayer dollars will be used only to secure a safe and prosperous America. For far too long, our allies have taken America for a ride, and profited off of America paying the lion's share for global security. Europe must continue to shoulder this burden." The other two senators sponsoring the bill, Cruz and Scott, also serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Scott told Fox News Digital, "The United States will not allow our tax dollars to be exploited by the U.N. while our partners refuse to pay their fair share, much less for a mission that fails to spend these dollars responsibly or transparently. I am proud to join my colleagues on the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act to ensure Americans' interests are put first, and their tax dollars spent wisely." The specific aims of the bill that have been shown to Fox News Digital are: Protect U.S. Taxpayer Funds: Prohibit U.S. financial contributions to AUSSOM under UNSCR 2719 and mandate U.S. opposition to any U.N. Security Council action enabling such funding. Ensure Rigorous Oversight: Require the Secretary of State to conduct annual, independent assessments of the A.U.'s compliance with UNSCR 2719 criteria for all A.U.-led peace operations. Enhance Transparency and Accountability: Mandate comprehensive reporting to Congress on the assessment findings, AUSSOM's performance and funding, and any U.S. contributions under UNSCR 2719. Strengthen Congressional Consultation: Expand existing State Department briefings to include specific updates on A.U. peace operations funded under UNSCR article source: Republican senators move to block Somalia funding until allies pay 'fair share'
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Republican senators move to block Somalia funding until allies pay 'fair share'
FIRST ON FOX : Fox News Digital has learned that the U.S. could withhold funding for the war against Islamist terror in Somalia until Europe, the African Union (A.U.) and the United Nations (U.N.) pay more of their "fair" share toward the cost of striking out and keeping the peace in the conflict-torn country. These plans to "prohibit" the use of U.S. funds are key details, shown first to Fox News Digital, of a new bill to be introduced by three prominent Republican senators. In line with President Donald Trump's administration's widespread moves to tighten fiscal controls in the U.S. and overseas, Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., are to introduce "the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Funding Restriction Act of 2025." This is "to safeguard U.S. taxpayer funds and hold the U.N. and A.U. accountable in African peace operations," Risch told Fox News Digital. The bill also seeks to mandate the U.S. to oppose any U.N. Security Council action which enables such funding. The East African country of Somalia has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab. In just the past five weeks, U.S. Africa Command reported that it has carried out four airstrikes; three against ISIS terrorists and one against al-Shabaab. At least one of these strikes, the command stated, was against multiple targets. Chairman Risch told Fox News Digital, "The Trump Administration has taken decisive action to counterterrorist groups across Africa, and I'm very supportive." However, officials from the European Union, according to Risch, plan to skew payments for the AUSSOM peacekeeping and stablization operation more toward the U.S.; in other words, make the U.S. pay more than it should, he said. "At the U.N., our European partners are looking to skirt their financial commitments to AUSSOM in Somalia by switching to a new imbalanced funding mechanism that pushes the burden on Americans," he stated. "We can't let that stand," Risch continued. "This bill will prohibit U.S. contributions to AUSSOM under this new funding scheme, until the A.U. and the U.N. can prove that they are using the funds they have responsibly, and prevent Americans from being locked into perpetually funding a broken system." Risch said, "President Trump has ushered in a new era of American foreign policy where American taxpayer dollars will be used only to secure a safe and prosperous America. For far too long, our allies have taken America for a ride, and profited off of America paying the lion's share for global security. Europe must continue to shoulder this burden." The other two senators sponsoring the bill, Cruz and Scott, also serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Scott told Fox News Digital, "The United States will not allow our tax dollars to be exploited by the U.N. while our partners refuse to pay their fair share, much less for a mission that fails to spend these dollars responsibly or transparently. I am proud to join my colleagues on the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act to ensure Americans' interests are put first, and their tax dollars spent wisely." The specific aims of the bill that have been shown to Fox News Digital are:
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Republican senators move to block Somalia terror funding until allies pay 'fair share'
FIRST ON FOX : Fox News Digital has learned that the U.S. could withhold funding for the war against Islamist terror in Somalia until Europe, the African Union (A.U.) and the United Nations (U.N.) pay more of their "fair" share toward the cost of striking out and keeping the peace in the conflict-torn country. These plans to "prohibit" the use of U.S. funds are key details, shown first to Fox News Digital, of a new bill to be introduced by three prominent Republican senators. In line with President Donald Trump's administration's widespread moves to tighten fiscal controls in the U.S. and overseas, Sens. Jim Risch, R-Idaho., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., are to introduce "the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Funding Restriction Act of 2025." This is "to safeguard U.S. taxpayer funds and hold the U.N. and A.U. accountable in African peace operations," Risch told Fox News Digital. The bill also seeks to mandate the U.S. to oppose any U.N. Security Council action which enables such funding. The East African country of Somalia has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab. In just the past five weeks, U.S. Africa Command reported that it has carried out four airstrikes; three against ISIS terrorists and one against al-Shabaab. At least one of these strikes, the command stated, was against multiple targets. Chairman Risch told Fox News Digital, "The Trump Administration has taken decisive action to counterterrorist groups across Africa, and I'm very supportive." However, officials from the European Union, according to Risch, plan to skew payments for the AUSSOM peacekeeping and stablization operation more toward the U.S.; in other words, make the U.S. pay more than it should, he said. "At the U.N., our European partners are looking to skirt their financial commitments to AUSSOM in Somalia by switching to a new imbalanced funding mechanism that pushes the burden on Americans," he stated. "We can't let that stand," Risch continued. "This bill will prohibit U.S. contributions to AUSSOM under this new funding scheme, until the A.U. and the U.N. can prove that they are using the funds they have responsibly, and prevent Americans from being locked into perpetually funding a broken system." Risch said, "President Trump has ushered in a new era of American foreign policy where American taxpayer dollars will be used only to secure a safe and prosperous America. For far too long, our allies have taken America for a ride, and profited off of America paying the lion's share for global security. Europe must continue to shoulder this burden." The other two senators sponsoring the bill, Cruz and Scott, also serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Scott told Fox News Digital, "The United States will not allow our tax dollars to be exploited by the U.N. while our partners refuse to pay their fair share, much less for a mission that fails to spend these dollars responsibly or transparently. I am proud to join my colleagues on the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act to ensure Americans' interests are put first, and their tax dollars spent wisely." The specific aims of the bill that have been shown to Fox News Digital are:
Middle East
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// PM: Egypt committed to supporting Somali president's vision for unified, prosperous state
CAIRO, April 25 (MENA) - Egypt has always been, and will always remain, committed to supporting the Federal Republic of Somalia, together with the international community, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said. Madbouli made the remarks while participating on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in the Extraordinary Summit of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), held in Entebbe on Friday. He emphasized Egypt's unwavering support for Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's vision of establishing a unified and prosperous state. 'The decision to lift the long-standing arms embargo, the adoption of tangible measures to alleviate Somalia's debt burden, and holding the Somali Security Conference in December 2023, have created political momentum that benefitted Somalia's national army,' the premier noted in a speech during the summit, in the presence of Minister of Foreign, Emigration and Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty. 'But unfortunately, despite such momentum, we witnessed a state of uncertainty and obscurity in the international community's priorities throughout 2024, which gave Al-Shabaab group an opportunity to regain strength and undermine hard-won gains achieved by the Somali National Army in 2022 and 2023," the premier said. He added that the establishment of AUSSOM provides an opportunity for the international community to renew its commitment and demonstrate its determination to help the people of Somalia in their pursuit of peace, stability, and development. 'Egypt welcomes the opportunity offered by this well-timed summit for the Federal Government of Somalia and its partner countries to develop a clear approach to reviving AUSSOM, overcoming the mounting threats posed by terrorists, and preserving Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,' the prime minister said. He asserted the need to focus on mobilizing all necessary resources to enable the Somali National Army to safeguard its substantial gains on the ground. The summit aims to define the roles, commitments, and contributions of troop- and police-contributing countries involved in the new African mission to Somalia. (MENA) M A A/M S H
Arab News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
African peacekeeping mission in Somalia ‘needs 8,000 more troops'
NAIROBI: The African peacekeeping mission in Somalia requires an additional 8,000 troops, even as Burundi is expected to withdraw its contingent, a statement from military heads from troop-contributing countries said. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, or AUSSOM, is tasked with combating the Al-Shabab group, whose attacks are stoking fears of a terrorist resurgence in the Horn of Africa nation. But Burundi's planned pullout, which diplomatic sources said was triggered by a spat with Mogadishu over the state of its soldiers' equipment, would deprive the mission of around one-fifth of its current manpower. Officials say insufficient troops have created security gaps 'resulting in the resurgence of Al-Shabab taking control of significant territory in both Middle and Lower Shabelle.' Envoys from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, the African Union, and multilateral organizations held a three-day meeting in Uganda this week to discuss the security situation in Somalia and the progress of AUSSOM. In a statement, the officials said insufficient troops had created security gaps 'resulting in the resurgence of Al-Shabab taking control of significant territory in both Middle and Lower Shabelle.' 'As a consequence, both Jowhar and Mogadishu are under imminent threat by Al-Shabab,' the statement said. Somalia has long struggled with the violent Islamist insurgency. However, the Al-Qaeda-linked group had been forced onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023 by Somali forces backed by African Union-led peacekeepers. Recent attacks in key towns have provoked worries of the organization's resurgence, with the militants targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy in the capital, Mogadishu, in March. The security representatives recommended 'an additional 8,000 to AUSSOM Troops to address the current security situation in Somalia so as not to roll back the hard-earned gains.' The mission, which replaced the previous ATMIS deployment, has 11,146 soldiers. But the withdrawal of Burundi troops with no prospect of replacement 'will create more gaps and exacerbate the already deteriorating situation,' the statement added. Somalia and Burundi have been at loggerheads over the number of troops Burundi should contribute to the mission, with Mogadishu requesting only around 1,000 Burundian soldiers — far below Burundi's proposal of 2,000. According to an African diplomat, Somalia 'felt that Burundi was not sufficiently equipped for such a large number of soldiers.' 'Our government saw the Somali proposal as a lack of consideration, a lack of respect when you consider the sacrifices Burundi has made to bring peace back to Somalia,' a senior Burundian official said. A statement by the AU dated April 15 instructed the UN office in Somalia to facilitate the repatriation of Burundi's contingent. The envoys also addressed the mission's significant financial challenges, urging international partners to address the deficit of $96 million for ATMIS and $60 million to cover four months of AUSSOM — which has been in operation since January.
