S. 1583: AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025

This bill, known as the AUSSOM Funding Restriction Act of 2025, aims to limit the use of U.S. financial contributions to the United Nations (UN) specifically regarding the support of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Policy Goals

The bill expresses the policy of the United States to:

• Support initiatives led by Somalia and African partners aimed at defeating al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia.
• Promote peace, stability, and economic development in Somalia.
• Assist in building functional Somali state institutions at both national and local levels.
• Ensure fair burden sharing within the UN for peacekeeping missions and African Union support operations.
• Adhere to specific conditions stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 2719 when using assessed contributions for African Union-related peace operations.
• Consider alternative funding mechanisms for AUSSOM to reduce reliance on UN assessed contributions.

Funding Restrictions

The bill places strict prohibitions on the use of U.S. assessed contributions to the UN. Specifically:

• No U.S. funds can be used for activities related to implementing Resolution 2719 that support AUSSOM or any other African Union-led peace support mission in Somalia.
• No programs or initiatives in Somalia related to the mandate in Resolution 2719 may be funded.

Direction to U.S. UN Ambassador

The bill mandates the U.S. Ambassador to the UN to:

• Oppose any resolutions in the UN Security Council that would authorize funding prohibited by this bill.
• Decline to agree to consensus on any UN Security Council actions that would permit prohibited funding.

Exceptions to Restrictions

There are several exceptions to these funding restrictions:

• Funds can still be used for the UN Support Office in Somalia, as approved by the UN Security Council.
• U.S. voluntary contributions or those explicitly appropriated by Congress for AUSSOM are permitted.
• Humanitarian aid delivered through non-governmental organizations or UN agencies independent of AUSSOM can still be funded.
• Expenses related to ensuring compliance with this law can also be financed.

Annual Assessment Requirements

The bill requires the Secretary of State to conduct an annual evaluation of the African Union's capabilities in relation to the terms set by Resolution 2719. This assessment must be:

• Conducted within 60 days of the law's enactment and then annually.
• Independent of any UN Secretary General assessments and reported to the UN Security Council.

Reporting Obligations

Within 90 days of the enactment and then annually, the Secretary of State must submit a report to Congress that includes:

• Findings from the required assessments.
• Total U.S. assessed contributions to the UN for peacekeeping.
• Allocations and expenditures based on Resolution 2719.
• Analysis of AUSSOM's performance and the effectiveness of U.S. support in relation to AUSSOM's goals.
• Details on funding support for AUSSOM from various international entities.
• Status updates on finding alternative funding mechanisms for AUSSOM.

Consultation Provisions

The bill amends earlier laws regarding U.S. consultations at the UN to include considerations for African Union peace support operations receiving contributions under Resolution 2719.

Relevant Companies

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