The African Union called an emergency meeting on its military mission in Somalia on Friday after Washington announced it would end critical funding over the lack of progress against Islamist insurgents.

Its withdrawal would require the African Union and troop-contributing countries to secure alternative funding and support arrangements if the mission continues beyond 2026.

In a diplomatic note to the African Union seen by Reuters, the US has vowed to block any spending of UN funds on the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).