S/2020/1136 Security Council

I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of the briefings provided by Mr. James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, and Ms. Zainab Hassan, Founder and Chairwoman of the Somali Gender Equity Movement, as well as the statements delivered by the representatives of Belgium, China, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia (on behalf of Indonesia and Viet Nam), the Russian Federation, South Africa (on behalf of the three African countries that are members of the Security Council — the Niger, South Africa and Tunisia — as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America, in connection with the video- teleconference on “The situation in Somalia” convened on Monday, 23 November 2020. A statement was also delivered by His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In accordance with the procedure set out in the letter dated 7 May 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the Permanent Representatives of the members of the Security Council (S/2020/372), which was agreed in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, these briefings and statements will be issued as a document of the Security Council.

I am grateful for this opportunity to update the Security Council on the situation in Somalia. I am especially pleased to be briefing the Council today as we are joined by the Prime Minister of Somalia, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble; the Founder and Chairwoman of the Somali Gender Equity Movement, Ms. Zainab Hassan; and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, my dear friend and colleague Ambassador Francisco Madeira. We are meeting at a time when Somalia is facing critical decisions, with an electoral process in the coming few months to choose the country’s Parliament and President, a security transition to allow Somalis to assume lead security responsibility by the end of 2021, and urgent priorities with regard to humanitarian response and economic reforms. When I last briefed the Council in August (see S/PV.8755), the Somali leadership was meeting to agree a plan for the 2020-2021 elections. In September, it reached consensus on an indirect electoral model, ending a two-year political stalemate between the Federal Government and federal member states. The agreed model of voting, regrettably, fell short of the constitutional requirement for the direct universal suffrage election of Parliament. Yet the agreement reflected broad Somali political consensus and ownership. In addition to being supported by the President and the leaders of the federal member states, the indirect model was also endorsed by other key Somali stakeholders, including political parties and members of civil society, and had been ratified by the Federal Parliament. Going forward, that broad political consensus must now be preserved and deepened as the agreement is implemented. The agreed process must be conducted in a fair, transparent, widely accepted and peaceful manner, and it must be more participatory and inclusive than it was four years ago. We welcome the political leaders’ agreement to ensure a 30 per cent quota for women for seats in Parliament, and we urge full respect for that commitment. The electoral schedule foresees selecting the members of the two Houses of the Federal Parliament by the end of December and the election of the Federal President by the new Parliament in February 2021. Nominations to the electoral management bodies were several weeks behind schedule and remain the subject of some contention. Also pending is the finalization of the electoral security plan, with a view to ensuring that the elections are as safe and secure as possible and minimizing the risk that Al-Shabaab may disrupt or influence the process. In order to support those Somali-led efforts, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) plans to contribute to the implementation of the electoral agreement within the scope of its mandate and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia and international partners. We will also continue to make efforts towards universal suffrage elections in future. To that end, we urge Somali leaders to consensually prepare a road map with clear timelines and benchmarks in order to ensure that one-person-one-vote elections take place in 2024-2025. In September, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo appointed Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who subsequently named his Cabinet. The new Government has a challenging task before it, not only in steering the country through the electoral process but also in pursuing the reform agenda across the political, security and economic spectrum. The United Nations in Somalia stands ready to support the Government in advancing the national priorities. I commend the Somali leaders for their spirit of compromise in reaching an agreement between the Federal Government and federal member states. That spirit must now be sustained. Beyond elections, we also urge further progress through consensus on other democratic reforms, including the constitutional review process and the establishment of the Judicial Service Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Constitutional Court, inter alia. Political dialogue is also key to addressing other pressing priorities, including operations against Al-Shabaab, economic and security reforms and collaboration in tackling the multiple humanitarian challenges facing the country. We encourage political actors to institutionalize that dialogue among leaders — for example, through the newly formed National Consultative Forum. In order to promote that dialogue, I recently undertook a series of visits to the capitals of federal member states together with Special Representative Madeira and representatives of the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. I understand that Prime Minister Roble has also started a tour of the regions to engage with state leaders in order to continue the dialogue, and we welcome that initiative. The security situation in Somalia remains of concern, with persistent attacks by Al-Shabaab, which remains the primary threat to Somalia’s security. Continuing efforts aimed at protecting the Somali people and degrading Al-Shabaab’s capabilities must be the main objective of the national security forces, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other security partners, in particular as we enter the sensitive electoral period. Next year will be a transition year in which Somalia takes lead responsibility on security matters. That requires an agreement involving all security stakeholders on a strategic vision for Somalia’s security. The Federal Government has already started that work, as it is drafting an updated Somalia transition plan. It is crucial that that plan address the many long-standing challenges, including the need for realistic operational objectives, credible plans for force generation and clear coordination structures. The updated transition plan will serve as a baseline for further discussions over the coming months in order to guide the role of the Somali security forces as well as external actors, including AMISOM, the United Nations and bilateral security partners. I welcome the plan announced by the Prime Minster to convene in early December the Executive Committee of the Comprehensive Approach to Security, also known as the Security and Justice Committee. I pay tribute to the Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia for their steadfast and courageous pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia. We also welcome the continuing support and commitment of federal member states to the development of Somalia’s rule of law and security sector. It is through collective gains in the security realm that the space is created for the political process, governance and institution-building. Human rights and justice remain at the centre of our work for Somalia’s development. With elections approaching, I underscore my previous calls for the protection of political space, tolerance of divergent opinions, respect of free speech and association, and media freedom. I reiterate the concerns over the recent increase in instances of sexual violence against women and girls and the regressive legislation relating to sexual rights and freedoms that has entered the parliamentary process in both Mogadishu and Hargeisa, contravening international standards. Humanitarian needs remain acute. Somalia has been hit hard by the triple shock of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, flooding and locust infestation. The national trends in COVID-19 cases are broadly favourable, but we must remain vigilant. I commend once again the Somali authorities for their rapid response to the COVID-19 outbreak and thank the Somali health workers who are working on the front lines to defeat the pandemic. I welcome the new five-year Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between the Somali Federal Government and the United Nations, which will guide the United Nations support for Somali-owned and Somali-led development priorities. The Framework aligns with Somalia’s ninth national development plan. We urge the Government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the reform agenda in order to make progress on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative benchmarks until it reaches completion point. We look forward to the upcoming Somalia Partnership Forum, announced by the Prime Minister for early December, to take stock of the progress made since last year and agree on the priorities for the future. In conclusion, let me assure the Council of the ongoing engagement of UNSOM with Somali stakeholders to promote political cooperation in the interests of the country. Our good offices are aimed at fostering the widest possible levels of inclusion and consensus. As the country focuses on the electoral process, the United Nations in Somalia will continue to press for the participation of historically underrepresented groups, among them women, youth and marginalized communities. They all have much to contribute to peace, stability and development in their country. The coming months will set the course of Somalia for the next several years. At this critical time, I am grateful for the Council’s support as our United Nations team strives to help Somalia’s leaders and people achieve national priorities.

Let me begin by thanking the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for inviting me to brief the Security Council. I also wish to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate you, Madam President, on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. I also acknowledge the presence of my Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. James Swan; and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira. It is a great honour for me to address the Security Council as a civil society representative on women’s participation in all aspects of society in Somalia, in particular women’s political participation and the work of the Somali Gender Equity Movement. My name is Zainab Hassan. I am the Founder and Chairwoman of the Somali Gender Equity Movement and a long-time human rights, social justice and gender equity activist. I am also one of the experts who developed the National Reconciliation Framework for the Ministry of the Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, which was mentioned in the Special Representative’s briefing. Somali women are striving to be active in social, economic and political aspects of Somali society, despite institutional and cultural barriers. Women’s role in peacebuilding is no secret, often crossing the boundaries of warring clans, demonstrating for peace and reciting poetry to promote reconciliation. Despite resolution 1325 (2000), which calls for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding, peacekeeping, reconciliation, humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction, Somali women have been largely absent from those processes. Without women’s full presence at the table where decisions are being made, Somalia will not be able to attain sustainable peace and create a just society based on the rule of law. Owing to time constraints, I am unable to cover women’s participation in all parts of society, but given that the focus of my briefing is women’s participation in the political arena, I will touch briefly on the educational empowerment and participation of women in Somalia’s economic sphere, which has direct correlation with political participation. Education is an important key to developing skilled and productive human resources and enhancing the formation of human capital in Somalia’s quest for economic development and a better future. Girls have made significant gains in being educated, and their literacy rate has been steadily increasing. While girls have an 83 per cent enrolment in elementary education, their number decreases significantly as they get older and are pulled out of school to help their families, or even become child brides. That situation is even worse for rural, nomadic and internally displaced girls and women, who may not have access to schools or the means to pay for it. The Somali Government should allocate a greater budget to public education in order to increase access and develop policies to reduce drop-out rates and improve the quality of education. The United Nations and the international community can invest in education programmes and initiatives like Bar Ama Baro, a partnership project between the United States Agency for International Development in Somalia and the Ministry of Education aimed at increasing student enrolment, which is investing in girls’ education, safety and health. The economic contribution of women is very clear, as women make up a substantial number in micro and small-sized enterprises. However, the absence of women in medium- and large-sized enterprises is noteworthy. That is mostly due to the lack of investment in women-owned businesses by their families and institutions having difficulty accessing loans. Sociocultural, financial and structural barriers therefore limit women’s economic empowerment. It is important to note that women have been increasingly making inroads into male-dominated sectors, such as the livestock, fisheries, farming and petroleum importing sectors. But there needs to be more systematic support for women’s businesses. There are knowledge gaps regarding the institutional and cultural barriers to women’s productive work. More research needs to be done in order to better understand the role and position of women in the Somali economy, disaggregated by socioeconomic status, region and sector. Somalia is at a critical juncture, as the mandate of Federal Parliament ends on 28 December and that of the executive branch in February 2021. Somali women and civil society welcomed the efforts of the National Leaders Council to end the long- standing political impasse and agree on an enhanced 2016 indirect electoral model. We welcome the fact that the agreement guarantees the 30 per cent quota for women, but much needs to be done in order to achieve that milestone. The experience of the 2012 federal elections taught us what happens when there is no enforcement mechanism attached to the 30 per cent women quota agreement, as compared to the 2016 indirect election when there were provisions in place. In 2012, women obtained 14 per cent of parliamentary seats, while in 2016 women received 24 per cent in Parliament. Although the minimum 30 per cent quota for women was never achieved, the significant increase in women’s representation can be attributed to the concerted advocacy and lobbying campaigns of women civil society organizations, movements and groups, in collaboration with the Committee of Goodwill Ambassadors and with pressure and support from the United Nations and key members of the international community. The Somali Gender Equity Movement — an organic movement founded in 2015 that has nearly 9,000 online members in Somalia and the diaspora — was at the forefront of highlighting, educating, organizing and promoting Somali women’s political participation and representation, with a specific focus on how to attain the 30 per cent quota for women in the 2016 electoral process. After identifying the key challenges facing Somali women and the best approach to increasing women’s participation and representation in governance, a more comprehensive, effective and targeted advocacy campaign was developed revolving around the 2016 elections under the banner #UHiilliHaweenka — StandwithSomaliWomen — and the hashtag #GabdhoGuul — WomenWin — which is still widely used across social media. Somali women faced many obstacles during that electoral process. For instance, there was outright opposition to the quota for women from some religious leaders, traditional elders and male politicians. If seats for women had not been reserved, it would have been extremely difficult to obtain the 24 per cent of women in Parliament. Limited access to financial resources remains a major barrier to women’s participation in the electoral process. It is common knowledge that there is a strong correlation between access to financial resources and political participation. Many women candidates were unable to generate the financial resources needed to compete in political campaigns and lobbying, including being able to pay the registration fee. The registration fees for female candidates were therefore reduced by 50 per cent, as compared to their male counterparts, in order to promote and encourage women’s political participation. But that is not enough. Empowering women economically is pivotal so that they can be well- positioned to compete in the political arena. Somali women need to receive targeted support in building their political economy, and opportunities for investment need to be created in a systematic way so as to build on and sustain the previous gains and achieve the minimum 30 per cent quota for women in this year’s indirect election. Somali women politicians and aspirants, human rights defenders and activists and civil society organizations are concerned about the upcoming elections and how the quota for women will be guaranteed, given that no mechanism has been developed to ensure its implementation and no committee has been appointed similar to the Committee of Goodwill Ambassadors in 2016 to oversee it. It is not clear whether women will pay the same high registration fee of $20,000 for the Upper House and $10,000 for the House of the People, or twice what they paid in 2016. The pushback against women across the board and the steep decline in the number of women seats in all of the parliaments of federal member states, with the exception of Jubbaland, is a concerning indication for the upcoming 2020 election. It is alarming that no women are among the three members appointed per federal member state to represent the Federal Government in the Federal Member State Electoral Management Committee. In addition, the Federal Electoral Implementation Committee, appointed to oversee the implementation of the electoral process, and the Independent Dispute Resolution Mechanism team both fall short of the agreed 30 per cent quota for women. Experience has taught us that committed leadership could make a difference in promoting gender equity and upholding the rights of women. We as civil society call on the National Consultative Council to honour its agreement to guarantee the quota for women in Parliament. We also call on the Federal Government, political parties, opposition groups and civil society as a whole to work together on election security and corruption issues and towards a fair and free election, leading to a peaceful transfer of power. We also call on the Security Council to closely monitor and put pressure on the various groups. We expect the Security Council to urge the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, United Nations agencies and international community partners to closely collaborate with the Government and monitor the development of necessary mechanisms in order to implement the agreed electoral model, with a view to achieving women’s rights, representation and a safe and secure election. It is encouraging that cross-sector women’s rights activists, women political aspirants and civil society in the country and the diaspora are organizing to launch advocacy campaigns despite the challenges of the coronavirus disease pandemic, which has impacted the social and economic aspects and the health and well-being of families as well as the funding streams for civil society organizations and the way in which we operate. Many well-educated, experienced and active women of different ages are candidates for the 2020 parliamentary elections, and we hope many of them will win. I would like to conclude my briefing on a positive note. The Women’s Charter for Somalia, which calls for the 50 per cent representation of women in all three levels of Government and in socioeconomic sectors in the country, as well as greater protection for women’s rights and zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, has been launched in Galmudug and South West state.

I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia for their briefings and efforts. I reiterate our full support for those efforts. We also thank Ms. Hassan for her efforts towards greater inclusion. Today I would like to address the political situation, human rights issues, the humanitarian situation and latest security developments in Somalia. With regard to the political situation, Belgium noted the decision of the authorities to adopt an indirect electoral model for the 2020-2021 elections. We welcome the dialogue that made it possible to reach that consensus. We appreciate the authorities’ commitment to holding genuine elections by universal suffrage in 2024-2025 and encourage them to do everything in their power to allow the elections to take place under the best possible conditions. We also welcome their commitment to ensuring the participation of women in those processes. We urge the authorities to expand the democratic space in order to allow the participation of a large portion of the population, including women as well as young people and displaced persons, in those processes, which will be decisive in determining the country’s future. In that context, we reiterate our concern regarding the violations suffered by journalists carrying out their work and exercising their freedom of expression. Those attacks and constraints also contribute, by their very existence, to the population’s lack of consensus and support for its authorities. However, the Federal Government’s appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the killing of the journalists gives us hope that justice will be done in this instance. Once the milestone of the elections has passed, we hope to see continued cooperation between the Federal Government and the federal member states. Dialogue is necessary, even crucial, to ensure a strengthened working federal model. The revision of the Constitution must also continue. Alongside those expectations and challenges, Belgium would like to commend the Government’s adoption of a national climate-change policy. That was discussed last Friday at the inaugural meeting of the Council’s Informal Group of Experts on Climate and Security. In respect of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country, Belgium remains extremely concerned about the numerous and serious violations against children, as documented in the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/1113). We stress the importance of following up the latest findings of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. We call on all parties to end those violations. In that regard, we welcome the release of 33 children by the Somali security forces in August. Belgium also encourages the Government to continue its efforts with a view to implementing the legislation necessary to combat several types of violations, including the draft law on sexual violence. On that point, we remain deeply concerned about the introduction in Parliament of a new text that is clearly incompatible with Somalia’s international obligations. We regret that the Independent National Commission on Human Rights is yet to be established, three years after its official launch. That institution would play a crucial role in monitoring the human rights situation in Somalia. As for the humanitarian situation, it remains complex. No one can ignore for any longer the triple threat posed by the coronavirus disease pandemic, flooding and the desert locust invasion, adding to an already persistent fragility. It is estimated that 2021 will see 4 million Somalis benefit from humanitarian assistance. Belgium calls for far-reaching support for those efforts. Finally, I should like to say a few words regarding the security sector. Al-Shabaab remains the primary threat to the security and stability of the country. We strongly condemn the criminal actions of that group. The development and deployment of the Somali National Army is essential to containing that threat and protecting the population. We wish to recall that the sanctions regime is another tool for combating that threat. However, the fight against Al-Shabaab must be carried out with full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. Belgium welcomes the ongoing consultative process aimed at revising the transition plan. That document will be crucial both in guiding Somalia, with the help of its partners, towards regaining control of its security and enabling the reconfiguration of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The independent assessment of the latter will grant options to the Security Council concerning that reconfiguration. We hope that the African Union will expeditiously engage in a joint reflection on that matter. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the European Union’s support for Somalia, whether through the provision of funding for AMISOM; the European Union Training Mission for Somalia and the European Union Capacity-Building Mission in Somalia; or the counter-maritime-piracy force, Operation Atalanta. Providing support for institutional capacity-building is also very important. Once security is restored, the Somali authorities must provide the population with the basic services and freedoms to which it rightfully aspires.

We welcome the Prime Minister of Somalia to this meeting. We wish to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. James Swan, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Mr. Francisco Madeira, for their briefings. Since the Security Council’s deliberations on Somalia in August (see S/PV.8755), important progress has been made regarding the peaceful reconstruction of Somalia. The new Prime Minister and his Cabinet have taken office, the preparations for elections have been carried out in an orderly manner and continuous updates have been made to the transition plan. At the same time, the security and humanitarian situation remains fragile, and there is a long way to go to achieve peace and stability in the country. I would like to emphasize the following three points. First, it is important that progress be made on the political track. China welcomes the consensus reached on the election model by the leaders of the Somali Federal Government and federal member states. We encourage all parties to implement the relevant decisions in earnest and to hold the elections as scheduled. China calls on all parties in Somalia to put the interests of the country and its people first, maintain the momentum of dialogue, enhance mutual political trust, establish federal mechanisms and actively promote national priorities, including the constitutional review. The international community should provide technical and logistical support for the elections on the basis of Somali-led and Somali-owned solutions, with a view to helping the Somali Government improve its national governance capabilities. Secondly, it is essential to maintain security and stability in Somalia. There are frequent violent and terrorist activities in Somalia, and the security environment is worrisome. China appreciates the significant efforts being made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to stabilize the situation. The Security Council has a mandate to carry out an independent assessment of AMISOM, and it is essential that we take into account the views of the African Union and AMISOM. We hope that the United Nations and the African Union can make proper arrangements to ensure that the outcomes of the assessment fully reflect the concerns of all parties and provide a comprehensive and objective basis for the Security Council to take subsequent actions. China notes that the Somali Government is taking a leading role in updating the transition plan and promoting security sector reform. AMISOM is also formulating a phased reconfiguration plan to prepare for the transfer of security responsibilities to Somalia. The international community should help Somalia to strengthen its capacity-building and continue to provide continuous and stable funding guarantees for AMISOM so that it can continue to carry out its duties. Thirdly, it is important to increase the levels of investment in development and humanitarian aid. Somalia is deeply scarred by wars, its economic development is lagging and it faces long-term humanitarian challenges. Development is an important basis for solving all problems, and that is also the aspiration of the Somali Government and people. The international community should help Somalia to implement its national development plan in order to help Somalia develop its economy, improve people’s livelihoods, release resource endowments and labour potential, eliminate the root causes of violent conflicts and humanitarian crises and provide strong support for independent development and sustainable peace in Somalia. China welcomes the signing of a sustainable development cooperation framework between the United Nations and the Somali Government with a view to comprehensively advancing the humanitarian, development and peace processes. We call on the international community to continue to increase its levels of investment in order to close the humanitarian aid gap. China has always firmly supported Somalia’s efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity. We support Somalia in embarking upon the road to peace, stability and development at an early date. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic, China has provided Somalia with a quantity of emergency supplies to tackle the pandemic and help the country overcome the difficulties being faced by its people. China will work with the international community to contribute to Somalia’s economic and social reconstruction by engaging in concrete cooperation projects.

We would like to thank Mr. James Swan and Ms. Zainab Hassan for their briefings, as well as Mr. Francisco Caetano José Madeira. The Dominican Republic applauds the ending of the political impasse between the Federal Government and the federal member states. We commend the efforts of the Special Representative and international partners to promote collaborative relationships, thereby contributing to advancing the implementation of national priorities. In the same vein, we welcome the agreement on, and ratification of, the electoral model and hope that it can be implemented in a peaceful, transparent and inclusive manner. However, we remain concerned about the delays in the constitutional review process and hope that the stalemates can be overcome in order to conclude that important process. We recognize the Federal Government’s commitment to allocating women- only seats in order to ensure the 30 per cent quota for women. We also appreciate the efforts being made to train women by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), UN-Women, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and civil society organizations. Despite those advances, we regret the removal of the quota for women from Somaliland’s draft electoral law by the House of Representatives. We understand that greater participation by women in the various spheres of public and political practice is vital. In that regard, we would like to acknowledge the efforts being made to raise awareness on the need to include young people in key decision- making processes and in formal and informal civic spaces in Somalia. We commend the fact that the Somali-led transition plan is under way and that efforts are being made to establish the necessary security conditions. We hope that the transition will be carried out in line with all of the required parameters and ensuring that the authorities have the necessary tools to shoulder the responsibilities that will be transferred to them. However, all of those efforts could be affected by the serious security situation in Somalia, and we wish to take this opportunity to condemn once again the attacks perpetrated by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab against civilians, Government officials and security forces, some of which were carried out using improvised explosive devices. We would also like to express our concern about the humanitarian situation, which has been aggravated by factors such as political and economic instability and the climate crisis, further marked by the threats posed by the coronavirus disease pandemic, the desert locust infestation and flooding. All of those factors have resulted in a worrisome deepening of the humanitarian needs in the country, where more than half of the population is in need of aid. Somalia is also one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with very limited capacity, owing to the conflict, to effectively combat the challenges it represents. We encourage the international community to contribute to the humanitarian assistance fund for Somalia in order to save lives and alleviate the needs of the most vulnerable. In conclusion, we would like to highlight the role that the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia and UNSOM have been playing. At the same time, we recognize all of the actors whose actions promote peace and stability in the country.

I join others in thanking the briefers for their insightful overviews and welcome the Prime Minister of Somalia to today’s meeting. The coming months will be crucial for Somalia, and allow me to reiterate Estonia’s support for the country and its people. Estonia welcomes that an agreement has been reached on the modalities for the elections, and that it has been accepted by all key Somali stakeholders. Moving forward, we emphasize the importance of timely, secure, inclusive and transparent elections. Estonia urges the implementation of the 30 per cent female quota and that marginalized groups be included. In addition, as Somalia prepares for parliamentary and presidential elections, the freedoms of expression and the press must be protected, now more than ever. While we welcome the progress that has been made, Estonia regrets that the upcoming elections could not be based on a one-person-one-vote model, as previously envisioned by the Somali authorities and the international community alike. In order to ensure that Somalia is making progress in its democratization process, we strongly support the development of an agreed pathway to one-person-one-vote elections in 2024-2025. Furthermore, in order for the democratization process to proceed, we would strongly support the institutionalization of the consultations between the Federal Government and the federal member states as a means of avoiding another impasse. Estonia also underscores the need to put in place measures and institutions to protect human rights. In that regard, we reiterate the importance of establishing the Independent National Human Rights Commission, which has a key role to play in promoting and protecting human rights. We also remain deeply concerned about the sexual-intercourse-related crimes bill and reiterate our call on Somalia to respect its international human rights obligations and discuss the original sexual offences bill in Parliament. The security situation remains a major challenge, and I condemn in the strongest possible terms the continuing attacks by Al-Shabaab. The impact of conflict on civilians, including women and children, is devastating and a cause for grave concern. The coming months will be crucial in agreeing the way forward towards the end goal of Somalia taking full responsibility for its security. In that regard, we welcome the progress made by the Federal Government of Somalia in updating the transition plan, and we look forward to the final product, which should be realistic in its timelines, tasks and goals. We are also looking forward to the independent assessment and urge all key stakeholders to engage with the independent panel. Estonia emphasizes that a comprehensive approach to security is important — Al-Shabaab cannot be defeated through military means alone; institution-building and supporting activities alongside military operations therefore remain the key. Estonia is deeply concerned about the dire humanitarian situation. Following the serious humanitarian situation resulting from the triple threat of the coronavirus disease pandemic, locust infestation and flooding, Somalia is again bracing for potential drought conditions in 2021. The routine spikes in humanitarian needs call for a more strategic approach. Strengthening the resilience of the Somali people must remain a priority. I would like to conclude by expressing Estonia’s gratitude to, and support for, the United Nations personnel in Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia and Somali security forces for their efforts, commitment and sacrifices to bring peace and stability to Somalia.

I would like to thank all of the briefers for their extremely valuable analyses to aid our understanding of the situation in Somalia. I will make three points today. First, I would like to turn to the elections. While the recent electoral agreements demonstrate a welcome dynamic of rapprochement between the Somali Federal Government and the federal member states, we regret that the principle of one-person, one-vote was not retained and that not all Somalis will be able to take part directly in the next elections. Our priority must nevertheless be to ensure the credibility of that electoral process — meaning that the elections must therefore be held within the planned time frame — as well as its inclusiveness, as mentioned by many of today’s speakers. The full participation of women will be important, especially in this year of commemoration of the women and peace and security agenda. We also call for the participation of young people, in line with resolution 2535 (2020). My second point concerns the humanitarian and security situation. France remains extremely concerned about that situation. Al-Shabaab is continuing its deadly action against civilian populations, whose fate, as we know, is already being aggravated by the coronavirus disease pandemic and by the ravages of climate change, whether it be the locust crisis or the extremely severe weather conditions. In that context, France calls for humanitarian access to be guaranteed for populations in need. We condemn the attacks against humanitarian and health workers and the obstruction of humanitarian access. We also call for the full implementation of the conclusions of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, which were adopted in August. Al-Shabaab is also targeting Somali security forces and all those who support them, starting with the African Union Mission in Somalia. France underscores that the Mission will have to drastically evolve after 2021 in order to enable a handover to the Somali security forces. In that regard, France fully supports Lieutenant General dos Santos Cruz and his team, who have been mandated by the Security Council to carry out an independent assessment. We call on all actors to act constructively to ensure that the assessment can take on board all points of view and deliver its report in a timely manner, on 10 January 2021. The fight against Al-Shabaab cannot be viewed as a security issue alone, as has been pointed out by other speakers as well. I welcome the adoption of resolution 2551 (2020), which renews the sanctions regime and strengthens in particular the fight against the financing of Al-Shabaab. The fight against terrorism will be effective only if it forms part of supporting the country’s governance and economic recovery. That is a major task — a long-term task in which the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union are engaged, and one that we must pursue. In that regard, we support the continued efforts to strengthen the rule of law and establish democracy in Somalia. The adoption of the constitutional review, respect for human rights and the fight against impunity are absolutely essential for building lasting peace. In that regard, I welcome the Somali Government’s recent appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the attacks against journalists. In conclusion, the first bulwark against terrorism is the resilience of societies. And from that point of view, France joins the many observers who have expressed their concern about the legislative developments in Somalia with regard to sexual violence and early or forced marriages. That is an extremely significant and worrisome setback in relation to the international and regional commitments to which Somalia is party, and can only weaken society.

Allow me to make a couple of remarks, first, on the progress made in the electoral process. It is positive that the political dialogue has been restored between the Federal Government and all federal member states. All sides need to continue that dialogue in order to achieve tangible progress. We regret that the electoral model adopted has fallen short of our expectations and the Government’s promises. That is a point that we discussed at length in the Security Council’s previous meeting on Somalia (see S/PV.8755). Still, credible, transparent and fair elections remain possible, and they remain key to the State-building process in Somalia. In that context, we hope and expect that the electoral process will be conducted in a peaceful manner and that the agreed women’s quota of 30 per cent will be implemented. My second remark is on the security situation. As the overall security situation remains volatile, the security of the elections and the coming weeks needs to be a top priority. We encourage all stakeholders to increase their efforts and finalize their work on updating and implementing the security transition plan. Cooperation between the Federal Government and federal member states continues to be key in that regard. We note that preparations such as the unveiled draft of the national elections security plan are under way. The progress made on institutional capacity- building activities through training and strategic advice is also very much welcome. We would also like to underscore the importance of increased Somali ownership and the effective coordination of the security sector with international and regional partners. The African Union Mission in Somalia continues to play a pivotal role for Somalia’s security. We see that in many instances. Nevertheless, reflecting on how to reshape its mission remains crucial. The nature of existing threats may change, but we must not neglect our common goal, which is for Somalia to take full responsibility for its own security. In that context, we consider the ongoing independent assessment an important opportunity for all partners, including the Somali authorities, troop- contributing countries and the African Union. We believe that all partners should contribute actively and constructively. We are also looking forward to an open and frank discussion at a security event organized jointly by the European Union, the African Union and Somalia on 30 November. On human rights, we are deeply concerned about the bills recently adopted in Somaliland that weaken the protection of survivors of sexual violence and do not comply with international human rights. That has been mentioned by other delegations, and we are deeply worried. It is the responsibility of the State authorities to protect the rights of survivors of sexual violence. That is why we also call for the reinstatement of Somaliland’s original rape and sexual offences law. We further call for the 2018 sexual offences federal bill to be enacted. Both of those comply with international human rights standards. We are also concerned about the reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence, with members of Government institutions being reported as perpetrators. Such behaviour is unacceptable. However, we are pleased to see that training programmes focused on responding to such heinous crimes have been provided to the Somali police force and five State police services, and that a follow-up action plan has already been developed. We are also concerned about the increasing number of attacks against journalists, many of whom continue to be arbitrarily arrested or detained. The freedom of expression and the freedom of the press are always essential and must be protected, but they are of particular importance in the run-up to the elections. We welcome the Federal Government’s appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the killings of journalists and urge that the perpetrators be held accountable. Lastly, I would like to make a remark on climate and security in Somalia. The impact of environmental shocks resulting from climate change is becoming more and more evident. Floods and droughts are just two examples. Special Representative Swan briefed the Informal Group of Experts on Climate and Security regarding those dynamics. We would like to thank Mr. Swan once again for shedding some light on that important issue. We also appreciate that the report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/1113) takes note of those factors. We commend Special Representative Swan for the excellent work that he and his team are already conducting on the ground in that regard. We encourage his mission and the United Nations system to systematically include climate-related risk factors in their analysis and efforts. Germany stands ready to support the United Nations in those efforts.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Indonesia and Viet Nam, the two States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the Security Council. At the outset, I would like to welcome His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble, Prime Minister of Somalia, to this meeting. I would also like to thank Special Representatives Swan and Madeira, as well as Ms. Zainab Hassan, for their enlightening briefings. We welcome the positive developments in Somalia, particularly the continuing dialogue between the Federal Government and federal member state leaders, which has ended the political impasse that had been ongoing since 2018. Only through continuing dialogue in a spirit of unity and cooperation can Somalia tackle the political, security and humanitarian challenges confronting it. We also welcome the appointment of the Prime Minister and the formation of his new Cabinet. Having said all of that, I would like to highlight three points. First, the agreement reached by the Somali Government and the federal member states regarding the modalities and timeline for the election is an important milestone. We note that the electoral model constitutes progress having been made on the 2016 model, by expanding the voting franchise and guaranteeing the 30 per cent quota for women in Parliament. We are heartened by the general acceptance of the model by the political parties and civil society organizations. We look forward to further clarifications being provided on several aspects of the modalities and the resolution of several outstanding issues. We hope that the electoral model can be implemented in a secure and peaceful manner, based on the agreed timeline. It is also important to create a favourable environment and to step up the protection measures needed for civilians in the electoral process. We would also like to reiterate the need for continued international support in State-building efforts, including the strengthening of State institutions and the constitutional review, which will hopefully bring long-term peace and prosperity to Somalia. In that regard, we welcome the signing of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework by the Government of Somalia and the United Nations, the priorities of which are aligned with Somalia’s national development plan. Secondly, we remain concerned about the volatile security situation. Despite the efforts of the Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Al-Shabaab continues to demonstrate its ability to conduct attacks, including those carried out using improvised explosive devices and high-profile suicide attacks. We once again condemn all recent attacks by Al-Shabaab and extend our condolences to the Government and the people of Somalia, particularly the families of the victims. We would like to reiterate that any such attack is unacceptable and that all perpetrators must be brought to justice. We are particularly concerned that Al-Shabaab continues to target the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM in recovered areas in Lower Shabelle. We reiterate the importance of a Somali-led update to the transition plan that will lay the foundations for security transition in Somalia, including with regard to future international support. We also believe that it is crucial to continue force generation efforts as well as training and capacity-building for the SNA. Thirdly, the humanitarian situation in Somalia is concerning. The triple challenge of the coronavirus disease pandemic, flooding and desert locusts has resulted in increased displacements and people in need of humanitarian assistance. We are concerned that insufficient funding and ongoing insecurity constitute major constraints to humanitarian efforts. We call on international partners to scale up funding in order to support the humanitarian response plan and alleviate the suffering of the Somali people. We condemn the attacks against humanitarian workers and reiterate the importance of ensuring unimpeded humanitarian assistance and relief. Lastly, we reaffirm our respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and convey our utmost tribute to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, AMISOM and all actors working to ensure lasting peace and stability in Somalia.

We welcome participation of the Prime Minister of Somalia, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble, in this video-teleconference. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Mr. James Swan; the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Mr. Francisco Madeira; and the representative of the Somali non-governmental organization, Ms. Zainab Hassan, for their valuable briefings. We have carefully studied the most recent quarterly report of the Secretary- General (S/2020/1113). The most important task for Somalia in the short term is the holding of national elections, scheduled to begin on 1 December. We welcome the broad consensus reached in Somalia with regard to the model for the upcoming elections. We hope that, in the coming days, Mogadishu will be able to resolve all outstanding issues with the federal member states, including those concerning the formation of electoral committees in the federal member states and, most important, guaranteeing people’s safety at polling stations. We call on African peacekeepers and United Nations personnel to make every possible contribution in that regard, and we call on regional stakeholders to uphold their commitments to their obligations. We commend the progress made in the political dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states against the backdrop of the preparations for the elections. We hope that the Government will soon be able to resume negotiations with Somaliland and continue to normalize relations with Jubbaland. We also look forward to seeing further progress on the revision of the Federal Constitution. We agree that the institutionalization of that dialogue would facilitate further progress. We call on Special Representative Swan to continue his efforts to that end. We note that the Secretary-General’s report includes an assessment of two draft laws on the issue of sexual violence, which are under consideration in the Federal Parliament and the parliament of Somaliland. We believe that all concerns related to those draft laws should be resolved in full respect for the sovereignty and political independence of Somalia. We cannot ignore that the security situation in Somalia remains tense. Al-Shabaab continues to perpetrate terrorist attacks, opting for a tactic of political assassinations through the use of increasingly sophisticated improvised explosive devices. We note that the group is capable of adapting to any pressure exerted upon it. Al-Shabaab recently intensified its activities in Mogadishu and in the federal member states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug, which is a cause for grave concern. Against that backdrop, AMISOM remains key to counter-terrorism efforts. The role of peacekeepers is increasingly significant in the light of the upcoming electoral process. We look forward to the finalization of the updated plan to transfer the responsibility for security in Somalia from AMISOM to the Somali National Army. At the same time, we oppose any attempts to force the Mission’s drawdown. We continue to believe that any decision regarding the withdrawal of African peacekeepers from Somalia should take into account the progress made in training the Somali National Army and the establishment of a unified national security architecture. We hope that the independent assessment of international assistance aimed at promoting security in Somalia, as provided for in resolution 2520 (2020), will bolster efforts in the areas I mentioned. We call on the independent group of experts to cooperate more closely with regional stakeholders, in particular with the African Union.

I would like to thank you, Madam President, for convening this important and timely meeting on the situation in Somalia. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Niger, South Africa, Tunisia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (A3+1). This briefing takes place against the backdrop of Somalia embarking upon a political milestone of holding 2020-2021 elections and having witnessed the significant progress made by all Somali parties and leaders, especially with regard to the electoral model, timetable and procedures that will guide the implementation of those elections. The A3+1 would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the situation in Somalia (S/2020/1113). We would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Mr. James Swan, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Mr. Francisco Madeira, for their briefings. We commend everyone involved for their abiding commitments and efforts to support the stabilization and continuing State-building processes in Somalia. Our statement today will focus on four important issues and developments in Somalia, namely, the political developments, which include the preparations for the elections, the security and humanitarian situation and the roles of the United Nations and African Union (AU) missions. With regard to political developments, the A3+1 commends the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states for their recent important consultations and agreements reached, which constitute significant steps towards reaching broad political consensus on key issues, in particular the holding of the 2021 general elections. To that end, we welcome the agreement reached by Somali leaders on the electoral model and timetable, with a view to ensuring that the general elections are held as scheduled at the end of 2020 and in early 2021. We are encouraged by the unveiling of the draft national election security plan. It is our considered view that the holding of successful and secure elections in Somalia requires the full participation of, and information-sharing and coordination among, the police, the military, AMISOM and other international partners. That will further demonstrate that Somalia is making notable progress in addressing its security concerns and to countenance the propaganda and destabilization efforts of armed groups. Similarly, we applaud all Somali political stakeholders, including civil society organizations, for their commitment to consolidating democracy, in particular with a view to ensuring the holding of timely and credible elections, guaranteeing the 30 per cent quota for women’s representation in Parliament and upholding the imperative to protect Somalia’s sovereignty, independence, stability and unity. We urge all stakeholders in Somalia to maintain that spirit of national ownership and cooperation going forward, in all aspects, in order to reach broad-based agreements on critical matters such as advancing their aspiration of moving the country towards one-person, one-vote elections in future, concluding the drafting of the Federal Constitution and establishing security and power-sharing arrangements, among others. In that respect, the A3+1 congratulates His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble on his election as the new Prime Minister of Somalia and on his new inclusive and representative Cabinet. We hope that the new Government will continue to build on the significant advances made by Somalia in recent years with regard to its political, economic and security priorities. The A3+1 remains concerned about the continuing volatile security situation in Somalia. We strongly condemn all attacks, in particular those carried out by Al- Shabaab using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and vehicle-borne IEDs against Somali civilians, security forces, AMISOM, the United Nations and the international community, including on critical infrastructure. We therefore pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice of AMISOM personnel and the Somali security forces in their quest to bring peace, stability and development to Somalia. We underline that those responsible for those heinous crimes should not go unpunished. We reiterate our previous calls urging the Federal Government of Somalia — with the support of the United Nations, AMISOM, UNSOM and international partners — to continue the generation, training and resourcing of capable, efficient and effective Somali national forces who will ultimately take over the country’s security responsibilities, in line with the revised Somali transition plan and the national security architecture. The recent decision of the Security Council to further ease the arms embargo in Somalia will contribute to strengthening the capacity and capabilities of the Somali security forces. We strongly condemn the reported incidents of civilian casualties and conflict- related sexual violence, which continues to disproportionately affect women and girls. We also strongly condemn the grave violations against children, including abduction, recruitment, use, killing and maiming, that have been registered during the period under review. More effective measures must be taken to prevent those violations, consistent with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We therefore support the calls urging that all perpetrators of such crimes be identified and held accountable. On the humanitarian situation, Somalia has been impacted by the triple threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, desert locusts and floods. Those challenges have deepened Somalia’s humanitarian crisis. COVID-19 in particular has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities, disrupted socioeconomic gains and affected the livelihoods of ordinary Somalis. We commend the actions undertaken by humanitarian partners to expand their support for the Somali authorities in order to address the impact of COVID-19. The A3+1 notes that the adverse impact of flooding due to climate change remained widespread in Somalia during the period under review. We are concerned that that situation will continue to exacerbate the displacement of people, food insecurity and the outbreak of water-borne diseases, as well as to adversely affect the livelihoods of those made most vulnerable across the country. In that respect, Somalia requires the continued support of the international community and humanitarian partners to mitigate the impact of the triple threat. We support the call by the Secretary-General for the additional funding that is urgently needed to continue to deliver humanitarian assistance. We regret that the security situation remains a major constraint to humanitarian operations. We strongly condemn the recorded and continuing violent incidents against humanitarian operations and providers, including recorded incidents that led to the killing, abduction and, in some instances, detaining of humanitarian workers. Furthermore, we take note of the attacks against journalists and violations of the freedom of expression mentioned in the Secretary-General’s report and encourage the Somali authorities to take the necessary measures to address those issues. The A3+1 recognizes the critical socioeconomic challenges facing Somalia, which have negatively impacted the expansion of some security activities, including liberating more areas. In spite of those challenges, we commend Somalia for the progress it has made in meeting all structural benchmarks in the first International Monetary Fund review mission under the Extended Credit Facility. We further welcome the supplemental Development Policy Financing operation from the World Bank to support the triple crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, desert locusts and floods. Those support measures have ensured that the Somali economy remains resilient amid the ongoing challenges. On the role of the United Nations and AU missions, we commend the sustained commitment of the United Nations through UNSOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), AMISOM, the United Nations Mine Action Service, the Federal Government and the federal member states of Somalia and international partners for their continuing efforts and the progress in bringing about stabilization and deepening federalism and State-building in Somalia. We are concerned that the United Nations trust funds in support of AMISOM and the Somali security forces are seriously underfunded. That will have a negative impact on AMISOM and the Somali security forces pertaining to the provision by UNSOS of essential logistical support, training, mentoring and equipment to counter the threat of IEDs. We call for more contributions to those trust funds, as the lack of funding may erode the gains made by Somalia, as supported by the United Nations and African Union missions. We urge a continued and strengthened working relationship between AMISOM and UNSOM to assist Somalia in taking ownership of its own security challenges, as envisaged by the Somali transition plan. We look forward to the finalization of the updated transition plan, which will guide the handing over of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces. However, we reiterate that the withdrawal and eventual exit of AMISOM from Somalia should be conditions-based and dependent on the security situation in the country. The A3+1 supports the continuing presence of AMISOM and UNSOM in Somalia, as the current security situation remains volatile and is characterized by frequent terrorist attacks. We also concur with the observations of the Secretary- General that a successful transition is contingent upon Somalia having adequate institutions, the generation of forces and the enhancement of the oversight, management and sustainment capacities of the Somali security services, including through financial, operational and logistical support. More efforts must be directed towards the realization of those benchmarks. We also recognize the relevance of conducting regular assessments and reviews of the assistance provided to Somalia by the United Nations and the African Union. We wish to underline the critical importance of soliciting and taking into account the views of relevant key stakeholders on the continent, including the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and troop- and police- contributing countries concerning future international support to Somalia beyond 2021. There can be no real progress in Somalia or elsewhere on the African continent without the active participation and contribution of its peoples in seeking solutions to African problems and in seeking to silence the guns. In conclusion, we appreciate the continued efforts of regional and subregional partners and the international community, including the United Nations, the AU, the European Union and IGAD, among others, in bringing political stability to Somalia and the region and in support of Somali-led and Somali-owned peace, security and peacebuilding processes.

My thanks go to today’s briefers, Special Representative Swan, Ambassador Madeira and Ms. Hassan, for their extremely useful and detailed updates. Regrettably, I must open on a sombre note, because despite the Secretary- General’s calls for a ceasefire, Al-Shabaab continues to launch its attacks. We strongly condemn all terrorist attacks, including the murders of two humanitarian workers just last month. The United Kingdom expresses its condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirms its solidarity with Somalia in fighting terrorism. Let me reiterate — it is vital that all parties ensure unimpeded access to, and the safety of, aid workers, in line with international humanitarian law. As we near the end of the current political cycle, I would like to reflect on Somalia’s progress — and there has been progress. In March, Somalia achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Country Debt Initiative relief. It achieved that decision point following impressive economic performance, and can now access new international financing. The Federal Government has increased its revenue base with international support. Somalia is making progress in building resilience to humanitarian shocks and, with support from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Somali National Army has taken back and held territory from Al-Shabaab. This is a marathon, not a sprint. But at the moment, we are making progress. As the electoral processes commence in Somalia, we acknowledge the agreement between the Federal Government and the federal member states on an electoral model for 2020-2021 and stress the importance of preserving that spirit of consensus. We now urge all stakeholders to work together to deliver an inclusive, timely and credible electoral process, which includes a 30 per cent quota for women. And I want to reiterate to Ms. Hassan how useful it was to hear from her about how civil society is working to achieve that target, but also about the challenges that it still faces. I want to express our deep concern about the increasing number of attacks on the freedom of expression, including the killing, assault and intimidation of journalists. As Somalia prepares to hold an electoral process, Somali leaders must ensure that the political space remains open, allowing the expression of a diversity of voices. Beyond that electoral process, commitment to effective federalism is critical for Somalia’s long-term stability, including by building State institutions and ensuring that resources and power can be distributed in a way that best serves the Somali people. We urge Somalia’s leaders to set out their vision for the steps towards an inclusive political settlement, finalizing the constitution and ensuring direct elections in 2024-2025. We encourage them to maximize the benefits of debt relief through better federal economic cooperation, and we urge Somalia’s leaders to continue to articulate a clear vision for the security transition after 2021. As we enter the next political cycle, Somalia and the international community should re-commit to the principles of mutual accountability. The United Kingdom reaffirms its support for and commitment to Somalia’s long-term stability and growth. I turn again now to the security situation in Somalia, which remains a significant challenge. First, I would like to re-state our tribute to the continuing commitment and sacrifices of AMISOM troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and to Somalia’s security forces. We welcome the renewal of the Somalia sanctions regime and the international resolve to counter Al-Shabaab by tackling their access to arms and illicit finance. We express deep concern at the worrisome statistics on children and armed conflict and sexual and gender-based violence in Somalia. We welcome the tasking in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and the sanctions mandates to report on human rights. All tools must be used to ensure that people do not suffer. We also welcome the efforts of the Federal Government to renew the Somalia transition plan. The deadline at the end of 2021 for the Somali authorities to have taken greater leadership from AMISOM is a momentous one. Our partners in the African Union and from among AMISOM TCCs have made enormous sacrifices in supporting Somalia as it works to retake control of its own security. It is clear that that support will be needed after 2021. But it is also clear that we have an opportunity to support AMISOM as it evolves towards a role in which it can enable the Somalis to manage their own security. International conversations, including at the European Union’s upcoming conference on security, and critically through the independent assessment mandated by the Security Council, are necessary in order for partners to reflect on how we can collectively implement Somalia’s security vision. I encourage constructive engagement with those processes as we approach a new mandate next year. Lastly, Somalia faces a protracted climate and conflict-induced humanitarian crisis, compounded by what Special Representative Swan called the triple shock of the coronavirus disease pandemic, locusts and floods. The United Kingdom gave £64 million in humanitarian aid to Somalia in the last fiscal year. We call on the international community to provide more funding for the humanitarian response and efforts to build long-term resilience. In conclusion, I want to emphasize three points. First, I underscore that a united international response is crucial to supporting Somalia and its fight against the protracted humanitarian crises. Secondly, I reiterate our call for the Federal Government to ensure that the agreed electoral process is inclusive, credible and timely. And, lastly, I wish to stress that Somalia’s long-term peace and stability depends on a clear plan for ensuring its security, a political vision for better federal cooperation and continuing international support and commitment to mutual accountability.

We deeply appreciate the briefing delivered today by Special Representative Swan and his efforts on the ground in Somalia. The United States supports the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and will continue to stand with the Mission to support Somalia and its people. The next months in Somalia are particularly important for the future trajectory of the country. The constructive dialogue among Somali leaders over the past several months has led to the development of an electoral model. While we recognize that the structure agreed upon does not achieve the one-person, one-vote model that most Somali people desire, we are encouraged by the peaceful process that led to the agreement and the manner in which the Federal Government and the federal member states used dialogue to reach that agreement. We urge the Somali Federal Government and the federal member states to continue that dialogue and achieve consensus on all electoral process matters, from the composition of the electoral management bodies to Somaliland seats in Parliament. The United States strongly urges all parties to hold firm on the 30 per cent quota for women to which Somalia has committed. Lastly, we encourage the further consideration and timely implementation of the draft national election security plan, noting that the scheduled start of parliamentary elections on 1 December is just days away. Conflict and terrorism remain serious impediments to Somalia’s march towards long-term stability and development. The United States is committed to supporting the African-led efforts to address the threats that impact not just Somalia but the region as a whole. We condemn in the strongest terms Al-Shabaab’s continued attacks against innocent Somali civilians, humanitarian workers, Government officials and institutions. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack in Mogadishu on 17 November. With regard to the Government of Somalia’s update to the Somalia transition plan, it is important that we fully support and cooperate with the work of the Security Council-mandated independent assessment. We need to prepare for the February 2021 discussion on the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia in order to ensure that it is positioned to effectively meet the mandate objectives and to enable Somalia to take greater security responsibilities. The United States continues to be concerned about Al-Shabaab’s ability to accrue large amounts of financing for its activities through illicit means. Al-Shabaab continues to expand its revenue base through informal taxation and the manipulation of formal and informal institutions. Some reports indicate that Al-Shabaab earns over $50 million per year through illegal means. We laud Somalia’s recent progress in curbing terrorism financing and encourage that the country continue to work with the Panel of Experts on Somalia and international partners. Unfortunately, the triple shock of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, extreme flooding and severe locust infestations has compounded Somalia’s already complex humanitarian emergency. The United States is Somalia’s largest humanitarian and development donor, providing more than $505 million in humanitarian assistance funding this fiscal year. That includes supplemental funding both for the COVID-19 health crisis and the locust response. We remain steadfast in our support for the people of Somalia and call on others to do more. We are encouraged by the efforts of the Somali leadership to make progress on the country’s re-entry into the international financial system. Somalia has implemented significant economic reforms in recent years, and in March reached the first stage of debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. As a Paris Club member and Somalia’s largest bilateral donor, the United States has worked with the Somali Government to reduce and reschedule its decades-old United States loans. The United States is confident that Somalia is on a path towards stability and prosperity. Lastly, the United States would like to highlight the ongoing and important work of the United Nations in preventing sexual and gender-based violence. We commend the efforts to ensure accountability and train the Somali authorities on best practices. Those efforts are making a real difference, and we applaud the shared commitment to tackling that terrible challenge.

Allow me to congratulate the Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ambassador Inga Rhonda King, for her assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of November. We wish her every success in fulfilling her mandate. I would like to take this opportunity to deeply thank all delegations for their condolences and sympathies following the recent passing away of our former Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Omer Arteh Ghalib. He left an indelible mark on our history, having led during its toughest moment, and we will certainly remember him for his brilliant leadership during Somalia’s presidency of the Security Council, steering the work of the Security Council’s first- ever meeting in Africa in January 1972 (see S/PV.1627). The Federal Republic of Somalia reiterates its unwavering commitment to continuing to work closely with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, alongside the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), in order to help accomplish its mandate. I therefore wish to extend our gratitude to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia for their briefings. I would also like to thank our Somali civil society representative, Ms. Zainab Hassan, for her briefing. On 12 November, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo signed the electoral agreement for indirect elections, having been adopted by both Houses of Parliament on 26 September, marking the culmination of the inclusive political agreement reached in Mogadishu by the leadership of the federal member states and the Federal Government of Somalia. The electoral timetable and the procedures announced by the National Consultative Council on 1 October will guide the implementation of those elections. In line with the agreed timetable, the elections for the Upper House and for the House of the People are expected to take place by the end of the year. That will be followed by the election of the speakers of Parliament and the election of the President between 1 January and 8 February 2021. We reiterate that the Federal Government of Somalia is committed to holding fair, free and timely elections. Since the preparations for, and logistics of, the elections require significant funding for operational and security arrangements, we seek the renewed commitment of our partners to providing timely and adequate technical and financial support to the relevant institutions and bodies tasked with organizing and overseeing the 2020-2021 elections. The political agreement reached between the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states was clear in advocating that the 30 per cent quota for women should be safeguarded and that it constitutes a mechanism for ensuring that women’s participation is developed. The Federal Government of Somalia will continue to advocate for the full representation of women at all decision-making levels. Allow me to stress that the 30 per cent quota for women should be seen as a minimum requirement to be attained. The Somali Women’s Charter, which was endorsed by the Federal Government of Somalia, clearly states that the aim should be 50 per cent women representation. While a one-person, one-vote election could not be achieved at this moment in time, it continues to remain the ambition and aspiration of all Somalis. For the realization of that goal, the Federal Government of Somalia formed a technical team consisting of members of the Ministry of the Interior and the National Independent Electoral Commission and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister to draft a road map for universal suffrage elections of one person, one vote, to take place in 2025. Let me take this opportunity to inform the Council that the technical committee has already drafted the road map, which will be presented to the Cabinet for endorsement. In addition to that, my Government will take up consultations with the leaders of the federal member states and other stakeholders before the road map is presented to Federal Parliament for adoption. That is why the Federal Government of Somalia, in collaboration with the National Independent Electoral Commission, has also started preparations for one-person, one-vote elections to take place in 2024-2025. Our comprehensive security sector reform is undergoing continuing progress and continues to gain momentum. Having streamlined and standardized Somalia’s national armed forces, the Government continues to generate and integrate forces, enabling us to continue to degrade the terrorist groups and liberate more areas. We are at the finishing stages of a longer-term Somali transition plan, designed to hand over the responsibility for protecting Somali citizens to the Somali national armed forces as the AMISOM peacekeeping troops continue to transit out of the country. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the troop- and police-contributing countries for their unwavering support and sacrifices in restoring peace and security in Somalia. The brave young men and women in our Somali national armed forces continue to effectively hold areas previously liberated from Al-Shabaab, paving the way for a successful AMISOM drawdown and its eventual exit from Somalia. However, there is an urgent need to empower and invest more in the advancement, training, mobility and equipment of the Somali National Army. We go on record again to say that the arms embargo is greatly hindering the capabilities of the Somali National Army to be able to effectively eradicate terrorist groups from our country. Somalia’s economic and financial sector reform initiatives have been key priorities for the Federal Government of Somalia, with a view to alleviating the unsustainable national debt burden on the Somali people. Through great national efforts and in partnership with bilateral and multilateral partners, Somalia completed successive economic reform programmes guided by the International Monetary Fund to reach the decision point under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. That was a huge achievement, which is now being followed by a sequel programme — the Extended Credit Facility — which continues to focus on strengthening public financial management, raising domestic revenue towards fiscal sustainability, managing expenditure at a sustainable level, good governance, financial sector reform and, overall, putting in place laws and regulations to institutionalize good governance and sustainable economic management. We are determined to remain on the right reform trajectory in order to reach the completion point and hopefully attain complete debt forgiveness. That, coupled with the lessons we have learned and the systems and processes we have built through the economic reform journey, should lead Somalia on the road to sustainable development, opportunity and prosperity. With regard to justice reform, the Lower House of Parliament approved, on 16 November, the nominees for the Judicial Service Commission. That Commission is a vital, constitutionally mandated body that advises the Federal Government of Somalia on the administration of justice. We are also currently in the final stages of presenting before Parliament the list of nominees for the Anti-Corruption Commission. On the promotion and protection of human rights, in 2018 the Cabinet unanimously approved the draft sexual offences bill and submitted it to Parliament. That legislation is not new to Somalia. The regions of Somaliland and Puntland have already adopted similar legislation. Nonetheless, our Government remains committed to advancing human rights and the protection of women and girls in Somalia. To that end, we are aware of the controversy that has surrounded the sexual offences bill and will engage in dialogue with Parliament and religious scholars to discuss how we can move that vital legislation forward. The Federal Government of Somalia is cognizant of the important role played by the media in our State-building process. I recently met with a group of Somali journalists and representatives of Reporters Without Borders to reassure them of my commitment to protecting the space for the media to enable it to provide information to our citizens freely. We have enacted a media law that provides guidelines on media operations and activities while also protecting the rights of the media and journalists working in the country. We have reformed the communications units under the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Information in order to facilitate access for journalists who require information on Government plans and activities. Somalia has been grappling with cyclic climate emergencies as the country oscillates between floods and droughts from season to season. We are now faced with the worst medical crisis in a century. Somalia’s weak health infrastructure and limited resources have curtailed our efforts to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to derail our reform efforts. It also poses a serious security challenge in a context that is already marked by fragility. In Somalia, training delivered by partners has been suspended so as to stall the spread of the disease. There is a high risk that the security personnel screening road users may catch the contagion. Protective equipment is in short supply. The Government is distributing masks among front-line officers, but that is far from being sufficient. The Somali National Army forces are also involved in the public awareness campaigns against the disease. The global shutdown has seen a ban both on international and local flights, the imposition of a partial curfew and the waiving of taxes on essential food and non-food items, among other measures. And while food prices have soared, remittances have significantly decreased, and trading activities have declined considerably. All of those factors have caused a reduction in domestic revenue. Families will need to be supported and small and medium-sized business enterprises cushioned against the negative impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, Somalia’s challenges remain significant, including our vulnerability to extreme weather, the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term demands of State-building and tackling an active and vicious terrorist group. All of those challenges require long-term plans to build and resource legitimate institutions in order to address the structural, political and legacy issues of corruption. We are certainly on the right path, which will enable us to achieve peace and security for all Somalis, while changing the perception from one of poverty to one of sustainable development, and from fragility to resilience.