AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025
The AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025 (S. 1583) would restrict the use of United States assessed contributions to the United Nations for funding related to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023). The bill defines AUSSOM and requires that U.S. assessed contributions cannot be obligated or expended for activities implementing Resolution 2719 in support of AUSSOM, with narrowly drawn exceptions. It directs the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to oppose UNSC resolutions that would authorize prohibited funding and to avoid consensus on any UNSC product that would authorize such funding. The bill also creates a framework of reporting and accountability: annual State Department assessments of the AU’s ability to meet the 2719 terms, annual congressional reports detailing funding and performance, and amendments to the U.S. participation act to include AU peace support operations receiving assessed contributions under 2719. The overarching aim is to pressure burden sharing, diversify funding mechanisms for AUSSOM, and ensure strict adherence to the conditions tied to UN-assessed funding for AU-led missions in Somalia.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on using U.S. UN assessed contributions for AUSSOM or other AU-led peace support activities in Somalia that are linked to Resolution 2719, with specific enumerated exceptions (such as UNSOS funding, voluntary contributions, humanitarian aid via UN/NGOs operating independently of AUSSOM, and certain US oversight costs).
- 2Requirement for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to actively oppose UNSC resolutions that would authorize prohibited funding and to refrain from joining consensus on such funding, effectively limiting multilateral authorization for those funds.
- 3Definition and policy framework tying the bill to Resolution 2719’s conditions, including a cap that assessed funding should generally not exceed 75% of an AU peace operation’s annual budget, prioritization of civilian protection, and adherence to human rights and conduct standards; also calls for exploring alternative funding mechanisms to reduce reliance on UN assessed contributions.
- 4Annual and independent assessments conducted by the State Department to evaluate the AU’s ability to meet 2719 conditions for AU-led peace operations to receive UN authorization and access assessed contributions, with the assessments conducted independently of UN Secretary-General processes.
- 5Reporting requirements to Congress, including detailed budgets, allocations, performance analyses of AUSSOM, international contributions from other actors, and progress toward alternative funding mechanisms; mandatory updates within specified time frames (60 days post-enactment and annually for assessments; 90 days post-enactment and annually for congressional reports).
- 6Legislative modification to the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to explicitly recognize AU peace support operations receiving UN assessed contributions under Resolution 2719, broadening consultation and oversight provisions.