MOGADISHU, Somalia

The UN has extended its assistance mission in Somalia until May 2022.

"The UN Security Council has unanimously extended UNSOM's mandate until May 2022," the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said on Twitter on Tuesday, a day after the council passed a relevant resolution.

In a statement on Monday, the Security Council said it requested UNSOM to strengthen its presence across the country "as the security situation allows."

It added that the council decided that UNSOM should continue to coordinate UN efforts in Somalia, "maximizing joint approaches and programming" in full cooperation with the Horn of Africa country's federal government and five federal member states, focused "in particular on supporting acceleration of Government-led inclusive politics."

Calling on the government and member states to "organize free, fair, credible and inclusive elections ... without further delay," the council also urged it to enhance "broad-based consultations and consensus building on national priorities."

The council strongly condemned continued attacks by al-Qaeda-affiliated terror group al-Shabaab and urged Somali authorities, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and UN to work closely on strengthening safety for UN and African Union facilities and staff.

It further urged that all parties work to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict and identify those responsible.

Omar Mohamed, a political analyst based in the capital Mogadishu, told Anadolu Agency that the mandate extension was "good news" and comes as Somalia needed "international support more than ever."

Voicing support for UNSOM staying in Somalia, he expressed doubt that the AMISOM mission would be successful in stamping out al-Shabaab from the country.