Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoSecurity Council
The situation in Somalia - Security Council, 8779th meeting
Following weeks of mounting political tension, Somalia’s leaders have walked “back from the brink” and resumed talks in the capital, where a positive atmosphere prevails and an agreement on electoral arrangements is now anticipated imminently, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council this morning.
James Swan, who is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), spoke via videoconference to delegates gathered in the Security Council Chamber for the first time since December 2020, when the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a return to remote work arrangements.
Recounting the developments that led up to Somalia’s recent political stalemate — and then to the welcome return to negotiations — he said talks between the country’s Federal Government and the leaders of its Federal Member States broke down in early April. The House of the People of the Somali Parliament adopted a “Special Law” abandoning a critical 17 September 2020 electoral agreement, thereby extending the mandates of current office holders for up to two more years. In the weeks that followed, opposition to those moves led to violent clashes, risking a broader conflict.
Under intense pressure, he said, the House reversed the Special Law, and President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” empowered the Prime Minister to lead the Federal Government’s involvement in the electoral process — including security arrangements and negotiations with Federal Member States. Those measures greatly eased tensions, he said, commending all the Somali leaders who sought compromise and consensus and worked to de-escalate the situation and adding: “This spirit of compromise remains an urgent necessity going forward.”
Noting that a new summit between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States began on 22 May, he described the meeting as a welcome return to dialogue after the recent confrontation. So far, a positive atmosphere is prevailing, and all sides report progress. Urging all the country’s leaders to work in good faith, he said the signatories of the 17 September agreement must now commit to a clear way forward with the holding of elections. “Without this, progress on key national priorities will continue to be hampered, or worse, reversed, in critical areas, including in the security, economic and development sectors,” he warned.
Also briefing the Council was Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). He agreed that the months of February, March and April were marked by deeply concerning political tensions in Somalia, as national stakeholders remained unable to reach a compromise on how to hold the country’s upcoming elections.
Welcoming the fact that wisdom ultimately prevailed and talks resumed, he said the country’s Prime Minister has assumed responsibility over the electoral process and the security of elections, greatly easing political tensions. A consensus was generated among all parties on how to move forward, and the armed groups that were behind some of the recent clashes returned to their bases. Noting that today’s meeting takes place as the talks in Mogadishu continue into their fourth day, he said reports are now emerging of compromise among participants, including on the holding of elections.
He praised the Somali stakeholders for their show of commitment and profound sense of national solidarity, urging them to continue to refrain from actions that could derail the process — such as supporting parallel political talks or adopting new initiatives leading to the extensions of prior mandates. Meanwhile, he said, security conditions on the ground remain unpredictable, with the Al-Shabaab terrorist network continuing to launch asymmetric targeted attacks, as well as assassinations and indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
As Council members took the floor, many welcomed the progress reportedly under way at the Mogadishu summit and expressed relief that wider conflict was averted. Several urged Somalia’s leaders to prioritize compromise and dialogue over self-interest, particularly amid a highly fragile security environment and dire humanitarian conditions.
Tunisia’s representative, who also spoke on behalf of Kenya, Niger and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, welcomed the decision by Somalia’s House of the People to rescind the Special Law on federal elections, and joined others in expressing hope that it will continue to reduce tensions. All parties should refrain from any new and unilateral actions that might further deteriorate the political situation, he said, urging them to instead focus on combating the common enemy that is Al-Shabaab. Spotlighting the need to address grave human rights violations, as well as Somalia’s dire humanitarian situation, he called on international partners to scale up funding to AMISOM and to the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia, especially in the face of severe climate shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The representative of the United States said Somalia’s holding of peaceful, inclusive, transparent and timely elections on the basis of consensus is crucial to the country’s future. “We have seen the risks associated with actions that are taken without broad consent,” he said, calling on the parties to set aside narrow political agendas and “do what is right for Somalia”. The United States is prepared to take action against individuals who it assesses are obstructing the peace process or threatening Somalia’s peace and security agreement, he said, emphasizing: “Squandering this opportunity would be unforgivable.” Somalia’s leaders must place the country’s interests above their own, she said, calling for the country’s 30 per cent minimum quota for women’s participation in elections to be upheld and warning that the use of armed actors to manipulate the electoral process cannot be accepted. She also expressed concern that the recent political impasse continues to divert resources away from operations against Al-Shabaab, increased clan violence and other serious threats facing Somalia.
Mohamed Abdirizak, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, told Council members that the main topics on the agenda at the ongoing summit in Mogadishu are the status of election representatives for Somaliland, arrangements in other parts of the country and questions related to election committees. Noting that agreements have been reached on all those matters in principle, he said they will be detailed in a communiqué to be released in the coming days. “The negotiation process has not been easy, which demonstrates […] how fragile peace in Somalia remains,” he stressed, voicing hope that the imminent agreement will lead to free and fair elections and a peaceful transition process in the coming months.
Also speaking were the representatives of the United Kingdom, Norway, Mexico, Viet Nam, India, Estonia, France and China.
The meeting began at 10:04 a.m. and ended at 11:45 a.m.
For further details please see SOURCE below.
MEETINGS COVERAGE
