The United Nations has been engaged with Somalia since 1991 to support its Government and people to advance peace and security. In 2012, following an extended transition period, a Provisional Federal Constitution was agreed through a broad-based consultation process, and a new Federal Parliament and Government were selected, with a pledge to deliver political transformation of the country and realize the vision of a peaceful, federal Somalia.
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) backstops the work of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), a DPPA special political mission established in June 2013, with its headquarters in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. UNSOM, with offices across the country, is mandated by the Security Council to work with the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States to support national reconciliation, provide strategic and policy advice on various aspects of peacebuilding and state-building, to monitor human rights, and help coordinate the efforts of the international community.
Since 2013, UNSOM has helped sustain Somalia's emerging federalism process. Key challenges remain, especially in statebuilding, security, and economic recovery. UNSOM is currently supporting efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States to further advance progress on its statebuilding process, including deepening federalism and completing the federal constitution through broad dialogue, as well as supporting the reform of the security and justice sectors.
UNSOM is headed by Catriona Laing, a national of the United Kingdom serving as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia. She is supported by two Deputy Special Representatives: Raisedon Zenenga of Zimbabwe and George Conway of Canada, who is also the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.