UN Somalia (UNSOM) Full Size Medal

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is a special political mission of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Its primary purpose is to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in achieving peace, stability and reconciliation. It works closely with and supports the work of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and since 2022, the African Union. The mandate of UNSOM is to help in the development of a federal system (including state formation), constitutional review, democratisation and coordination of international donor support. UNSOM is helping build the Federal Government’s capacity to promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment, promote child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions. The current mandate is valid until 31st October 2024.

Each United Nations medal is identical in design, with a unique ribbon to identify the specific mission. The UNSOM ribbon is sand coloured, symbolizing the desert, with a wide centre band of UN blue flanked by narrow stripes of dark green, symbolizing hope.

Qualifying time for the medal is 90 days of service in the Mission. Subsequent tours of the same regions would be denoted with a numeral attached to the ribbon.

United Nations medals are not engraved.

All official medals are sent loose on the ribbon unless medal mounting is also purchased on the same order.