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UN PhotoSomalia - Security Council, 8833rd Meeting
Mogadishu Says African Union Mission ‘Cannot Stay Forever’, as Bloc’s Representative Calls for Establishment of Joint Successor Mission
With Upper House of Parliament elections having begun in four of Somalia’s federal member states and broader electoral plans back on track following a political crisis earlier in 2021, speakers told the Security Council today that the process must be inclusive and credible, and meet the 30 per cent quota agreed for women’s representation.
Following a prolonged period of uncertainty and heightened tensions, “the long-awaited elections in Somalia are now moving forward”, albeit somewhat behind schedule, said James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), as he presented the Secretary-General’s latest report (document S/2021/723).
Ensuring the success of the process will require constant effort by all parties, in particular the leaders of the federal Government and federal member states, and implementation of the existing electoral agreements, he emphasized, noting that the United Nations recently signed an agreement with the office of the Prime Minister to ensure that donor funds generously contributed by Member States are available for use by the electoral management bodies.
Batula Axmed Gaballe, Chairperson of the Somali National Women’s Organization and Chair of the Advocacy Committee recently appointed to achieve the 30 per cent women’s representation quota, expressed regret that no clear mechanism for reaching that target in Somalia’s 2021 federal elections has yet been created. “Despite repeated promises, the 27 May 2021 communiqué […] provided no details on how this commitment will be implemented,” she said. Outlining some of the main demands of Somali women leaders, she said they include reducing candidate registration fees for women and reserving seats to be contested only by women. However, women leaders and civil society organizations have very little or no resources to advocate for the 30 per cent quota scheme.
In the Upper House election currently underway, she said, no state has yet delivered the 30 per cent quota, with women’s representation ranging from 25 to 27 per cent. Pointing out that the state of Jubaland has yet to elect any women, she said that, besides financial constraints, women candidates also face challenges related to insecurity and fear of intimidation. Strengthened protection and a “level playing field” for both current and future elections is needed, she stressed.
Also briefing the Council was Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira Francisco, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). He outlined the bloc’s election support in Somalia, which now extends beyond security to include the provision of capacity‑building, technical advice and direct budgetary support. AMISOM civilian staff are engaged in capacity-building with women’s and youth groups, aimed at ensuring their participation in elections, while the Mission’s police are providing security for the current Upper House elections.
Reporting on the African Union’s recent assessment of AMISOM, he said the “overriding” consensus was in support of establishing a joint African Union-United Nations multidimensional stabilization mission — one that is best-placed to address post-2021 challenges — with sustainable, predictable funding. “We are in a critical period in Somalia, one where our collective focus must be to prevent Al-Shabaab from disrupting the ongoing electoral process,” he added, referring to the insurgent group whose attacks have killed hundreds of civilians in recent months.
In the ensuing discussion, many Council members voiced their strong support for the 30 per cent quota for women’s participation in elections. Quoting from the Somali Women’s Charter, Norway’s delegate said that there can be no sustained peace and development without women’s political participation. The representative of Mexico, echoing that point, said the participation of women in Somalia’s political processes is one of the most critical provisions in the resolution being put forward for the renewal of UNSOM’s mandate.
On the role of AMISOM, the African Union Mission, the United Kingdom’s delegate said collaboration among the federal Government, United Nations, African Union and donors will enable stakeholders to agree on a model for a successor mission that is realistic, affordable and enables Somalia to assume progressively greater responsibility for its own security.
The representative of France said the European Union has contributed nearly €2 billion to AMISOM since 2007, which should result in greater operational efficiency. Her country, along with the broader bloc, will reassess its contributions to AMISOM while ensuring the Mission’s better coordination with European Union military and civilian missions deployed in Somalia.
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation’s delegate said the African Union and the Government must work out a mutually acceptable arrangement to hand over security responsibility, adding that such changes must be carefully considered in order to avoid a security vacuum.
For his part, the representative of Somalia stressed that “AMISOM cannot stay in Somalia forever”. The Mission must continue transitioning its responsibility to Somalia’s security forces, he said, adding that all such arrangements must be aligned with Government priorities.
Also speaking were representatives of Viet Nam, Tunisia (also on behalf of Kenya, Niger and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Ireland, China, United States, Estonia and India.
The meeting began at 10:02 a.m. and ended at 11:55 a.m.
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MEETINGS COVERAGE
