S/PV.7551 Security Council

I wish to warmly welcome the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, Ministers and other representatives present in the Security Council Chamber. Their presence today underscores the importance of the subject matter under discussion. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Somalia to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome His Excellency Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and request the Protocol Officer to escort him to his seat at the Council table. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General; Mr. Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia; and His Excellency Mr. Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2015/840, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Angola, Chad, France, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. I also wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2015/702, containing the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia, and to document S/2015/762, which contains a letter dated 7 October 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2245 (2015). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make a statement after the vote.

We voted in favour of resolution 2245 (2015), prepared by the delegation of the United Kingdom, to change the mandate of the United Nations Support Office to the African Union Mission in Somalia (UNSOA), as we, like other members of the Council, are interested in seeing the swift establishment of sustainable peace and stability both in that country and in the Horn of Africa region as a whole. However, we note the extreme density of the text of the resolution pertaining to resources that we think should be minimized. That is particularly important given the fact that the provision of technical and material support to UNSOA — now the United Nations Support Office in Somalia — is among the issues most often raised made by auditors of the Organization. We also call attention to the very tight time frames for the drafting of the resolution and the need to support the provisional rules of procedure and the established working practices of the Security Council with regard to such types of documents, whereby amendments can be made to a draft resolution right up to the voting, and its publication in blue does not automatically mean that the drafting is at an end. We also believe that the deployment of Government staff remains in the grey zone of administrative and budgetary control, and we are concerned about it as a matter of principle.

I now give the floor to Ms. Malcorra. Ms. Malcorra: It is with pleasure that I am here to deliver a message on behalf of the Secretary-General. “I commend the United Kingdom for conveying this ministerial meeting and for its long-standing leadership on Somalia. The stakes are high. The international community must stand strong with Somalia. “Next year can be momentous. A peaceful constitutional transition of power will make an extraordinary milestone on Somali’s path to democracy. The new national consultative forum is responsible for agreeing on the modalities for the process. I urge the Federal Government to actively engage as many people as possible, including women, young people and minorities. “At the same time, Somalia is consolidating its federal system. I urge Somali leaders to complete the process by the end of 2016. I also call on them to achieve genuine, inclusive reconciliation in all regions. Progress on the Provisional Constitution will be essential in the next few months. I welcome the commitment of Somali leaders to re-energizing the delayed review. “We are deeply grateful to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for its sacrifices. The United Nations will not waver in our commitment to the Mission. I call on all partners to ensure that our military and political strategies are fully aligned. We must also redouble our efforts to strengthen Somali security forces so they can secure the country for the long term. “Military operations alone will not defeat Al-Shabaab. Today, I renew my call on the Security Council to support a comprehensive approach that addresses the Al-Shabaab threat by offering Somalis a better alternative. That will require greater investments in community security, human rights, justice and economic opportunity, especially for young people. We must denounce the propaganda of Al-Shabaab, address the grievances that drive recruitment, and open the way for all to renounce violence. “The best way to weaken the pull of extremism is to strengthen people’s chances for a better future. That is why I also urge the international community to increase its contributions to the New Deal Compact before its review in Istanbul in February. An investment in the people of Somalia will also benefit security in the region and the world. We must urgently provide opportunities for Somalia’s strong women and girls, who suffer from poverty, violence and abuse without fair participation in decision-making. I urge the Federal Government to work to exceed the goal of 30 per cent representation of women in Parliament. “Guaranteeing basic human rights is essential to offering a credible alternative to extremism. I have repeatedly stressed that all operations against violent extremism, anywhere and under any conditions, must fully respect human rights. I commend the Government for actively participating in the Human Rights Council’s universal periodic review. I also stress the importance of observing international humanitarian and human rights law in the conduct of military operations. In line with resolution 2245 (2105), adopted today, we can build on the tangible success of the United Nations/ African Union partnership and the achievments of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM. We can do even more with the new United Nations Support Office in Somalia. I am committed to strengthening our collaboration. “Right now, some 3.2 million people in Somalia need assistance to survive. Over the past six months, more people have lost the ability to feed their families. More children suffer from acute malnutrition. Most of these are internally displaced persons living under the constant threat of forced evictions and abuse. The dire situation is growing worse; we are expecting dangerous flooding and drought. Our humanitarian response plan is only 36 per cent funded, so we cannot fully carry out our life-saving programmes. “Donors can make the difference between life and death, and that can help move Somalia towards greater stability and peace. The United Nations will continue to do everything possible to achieve political progress, boost security, promote human rights and relieve suffering. I urge the Council to provide active support. This is our path to defeating the threat of terrorism and realize the vision of Somali’s for a united federal country that serves all of its people and contributes to our common future.”

I thank Ms. Malcorra for her briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Kay. Mr. Kay: I am grateful to you, Sir, for giving me the floor. I am delighted to be here with His Excellency Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minister of Somalia, whose constant support for the United Nations is deeply appreciated. As I shall end my assignment at the end of the year, I wish to take this, my final opportunity, to thank the Council for its unstinting support over the past two and a half years. Without it, Somalia would not have progressed as it has. In 2013, there was hope in the air, but also anxiety. The mountain to climb was steep. As Somalia inches towards 2016, I believe that we should recognize what is going well, reflect on why it is working and what we should learn, and set out clearly the challenges ahead. Somalia is well advanced in its political and security transformation from failed to recovering State. When the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia started in 2013, the Federal Government was corralled in Mogadishu. Across the rest of the country was a patchwork of different local power-holding arrangements, with no tangible link to Mogadishu, little in the way of governance institutions, and with many entire districts under the control of Al-Shabaab. Today a new Somalia with a new political map is emerging. Three new federal member states will shortly join Puntland as foundation stones of the new Federal Somalia. The fifth will be formed from Hiraan and Shabelle Dhexe and, while recognizing important recent progress, I urge swift conclusion of that process. I also urge continued progress on the national consultations leading to an electoral process in 2016 that will be conducted on time and be more inclusive than in 2012. We should never forget that political progress has been made possible only by the sacrifices of the Somali National Army and the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The Somali National Army faces huge challenges and needs to improve its capabilities and its organization, but the Council’s support for it and for AMISOM has been vital. Since 2013, 14 districts, including strategically important ports, have been recovered from Al-Shabaab. Today, there is intense interchange between Mogadishu and the regions on political, economic and technical issues. Almost daily, we help Somali delegations fly across that largely roadless country the size of France. In each of the emerging Federal member states, there is a Government, an assembly and an agreed charter. Increasingly, Somalis see Government closer to them, more able to deliver for the people and be held to account by them. There is still a long way to go in terms of service delivery, the rule of law and inclusive politics. But I shall never tire of saying that, at last, Somalia is facing the problems of a country coming together rather than falling apart. I believe we should recognize some other significant achievements; each is a collective achievement by Somalis and the international community. It is now more than three years since pirates seized a major commercial ship off the coast of Somalia. The United Nations Development Programme has helped State institutions to start delivering a range of services and, with the World Bank, is establishing a professional civil service. In 2014, early warning by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) led to early action, and Somalia avoided repeating the devastating famine of 2011. In 2015, for the first time in a quarter of a century, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) began a programme to assist thousands of refugees to return voluntarily to Somalia. Last month, two years after polio erupted again in Somalia, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Somalia polio-free. In 2014, Somalia exported a record number of livestock; it is no coincidence that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations vaccinated a record number of animals the same year. Schools across Somalia are reopening, and teachers are being trained and paid through a UNICEF-backed programme. Enormous challenges remain. Social and economic progress so far is a drop in the ocean, but it is progress. Why are things progressing and what should we learn? This is not the moment for detailed analysis, but let me highlight five key elements in Somalia’s success. First and foremost is the common agreement to put political State-building at the heart of everything, Somali-owned and Somali-led. Secondly, creative approaches and partnerships have been key, not only as enshrined in the New Deal Compact, but also in the unique parnership among the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. The third factor is the courage and commitment of the African Union forces in AMISOM. And the fourth element is a truly integrated United Nations that is delivering as one. Finally, there is the unity and willingness of the Security Council to innovate and to trust, for which I thank members. While thanking partners and the Council for what they have done, it may not be surprising to members if I also ask for more. Somalia has to compete for attention and resources in an ever more troubled world. But scaling back now will crush the hopes of millions of Somalis, endanger peace and security in the Horn of Africa and East Africa, bolster violent extremism globally and risk a renewed exodus of refugees. Reducing effort should not be an option. Collectively we need absolutely to do more and better on three things: undertaking local community recovery and development in areas recovered from Al-Shabaab; supporting economic recovery nationwide to help the seven out of every 10 Somalis under the age of 35 to find jobs; and putting in place a more comprehensive approach to Al-Shabaab to engage those who truly wish to join a Somali-led political State-building project. Those are the future actions that will lock in the political and security success to date. The Council’s decision today to establish an enhanced United Nations support office is vital for the next phase. While rightly looking back and forward, we should be somberly realistic about the present. The plight of millions of Somalis is a calamity and an indictment. The vast majority continue to suffer abject poverty, displacement, insecurity and predatory corruption, with little rule of law or respect for human rights. Somali resilience is legendary, but even the most resilient may buckle in the end. In all conscience, Somalia’s leaders and international partners need to do more rather than less. Delivering humanitarian and development progress in the short term, especially given the impact of the El Niño effect, will be hard. OCHA is working flat- out to ensure the right response. The year 2016 will be one of heightened political tension — a bumpy, adrenaline-fuelled ride. Al-Shabaab will do everything it can to disrupt federalism and the electoral process. Somalia’s leaders need to reconcile competing demands and strive to place national interests above personal or community interests. International partners need to stay the course, be united and respect Somali ownership, but be crystal-clear on their expectation that Somalis need to agree the rules for the 2016 electoral process and then stick to them. My final words are ones of thanks, not only to the Security Council and the Secretary-General for giving me the honour to serve in Somalia, and to my team, who work tirelessly in austere and dangerous conditions, but also to the President, the Prime Minister and the people of Somalia for their hospitality and patience. I thank the African Union for its constant partnership, and I welcome the new Special Representative of the Chair of the African Union, Ambassador Madeira. My final thoughts are with the family and friends of the seven United Nations colleagues murdered in the line of duty in Somalia since 2013. The most fitting tribute we can pay to them is to redouble our work for peace. I salute and thank the whole United Nations family in Somalia for its service, comradeship and courage.

I thank Mr. Kay for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. Mr. António: Today’s meeting is taking place against the backdrop of major achievements in Somalia towards the realization of Vision 2016, for which we must commend the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali security forces. We must also commend the countries of the region, which, through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have remained actively engaged in the efforts to achieve peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia. I pay tribute to all the uniformed and civilian personnel of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as well as to the troop- and police-contributing countries, namely, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. Since their deployment, which is now entering its ninth year, AMISOM personnel has displayed an unparalleled commitment, sense of duty and courage. At the African Union (AU), we take particular pride in their achievements. The huge sacrifices they have made have enabled Somalia to open a new and more hopeful chapter in its troubled history. We are determined to ensure that the sacrifices made are not in vain. I would like to thank the United Kingdom for convening this meeting, which will provide us with an opportunity to take stock of the situation, including the implementation of Vision 2016, and agree on how best to address the remaining tasks. I acknowledge the presence of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which is yet further testimony of the importance that the United Kingdom attaches to the situation in Somalia and a reflection of its determination to assist that country to overcome the daunting challenges confronting it. I commend the members of the Security Council for their continued commitment to the quest for peace and reconciliation in Somalia. Over the years, they have continued to extend significant support to the African Union-led efforts aimed at neutralizing the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and creating the conditions for the successful conclusion of the ongoing political process. It would be remiss of me if I did not once again put on record the African Union’s deep appreciation to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for his tireless efforts towards the promotion of peace and security on the African continent and in Somalia in particular. I have no doubt, as we move ahead, that we can continue to rely on his support. The deployment of AMISOM and the progress made in the implementation of its mandate would not have been possible without the support of other African Union partners. Those include the European Union and its member States, as well as the United States of America. As we gather in this Chamber today, we should applaud the Federal Government of Somalia for reaffirming its commitment to respecting the constitutionally-mandated terms of the legislature and executive. These, as all members know, will expire in August and September 2016, respectively. In this respect, the recent launch of the national consultative forum on elections is another promising step. The forum agreed on the consultative process and methodology, and began the initial debate on the approaches to the electoral process. In just a few days, public consultations on the electoral process will commence in various parts of Somalia. It is our hope that the national and regional stakeholders will maintain the unity of purpose they have shown thus far. Significant progress has also been made against key milestones in the completion of Somalia’s federal State formation process and towards reviewing the Provisional Constitution. These positive developments have greatly enhanced the prospects for the successful conclusion of the political process. Much remains to be done, however. Against this backdrop, all international stakeholders should continue to provide the required support to Somali stakeholders in order to overcome the remaining challenges. The African Union remains committed — including through AMISOM, whose mandate, as determined by the Peace and Security Council, also includes a political component — to continuing to support and facilitate these processes, in close coordination with IGAD, the United Nations and other partners. Nevertheless, while reviewing the ambitious State-building agenda that lies ahead, we must not shy away from assessing the effectiveness of the efforts deployed on the ground, the extent to which we are promoting a truly Somali-owned process and the level of coordination among the international partners. It is only through such an approach that we can ensure that we are taking the realities on the ground in Somalia into account at every step and maximizing the impact of our support. In Somalia, we are now facing a threat of a different nature than what we were contending with just a year ago. AMISOM and the Somali National Army have conducted a number of successful offensives, the latest being Operation Juba Corridor. While these offensives have continued to deplete Al-Shabaab capabilities by limiting their sources of revenue and freedom of movement, AMISOM was also, as a result, compelled to extend its lines of communication. The Mission now covers an expanded area of operation. Under pressure to maintain relevance, Al-Shabaab is taking advantage of these extended lines of communication to conduct targeted attacks against AMISOM and the Somali National Army defensive positions. The group has also continued to conduct asymmetric attacks with increasing efficiency and lethality on the Government and the local population alike. The most recent attack was just a week ago on a popular hotel in Mogadishu patronized by Government officials. These attacks serve as a constant reminder of the fragility of security, not just in Mogadishu, but in Somalia as a whole. Another source of concern is a potential alliance between Al-Shabaab and the so-called Islamic State. As a result of its depleted capability and desperation for support, Al-Shabaab is exploring this avenue for survival by possibly shifting alliances to more resourced international terrorist groups. This is a worrying development that all stakeholders must closely monitor. To address the evolving security challenges, there is a pressing need to step up efforts to complete the expansion phase, with a view to liberating the remaining areas controlled by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. This will pave the way for the transition to the stabilization phase by March 2016. In line with the relevant decisions of the African Union Peace and Security Council and the Security Council, the Commission, with the involvement of all concerned stakeholders, including the United Nations, has developed a revised concept of operations for AMISOM. This document was forwarded to the Secretary-General by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security on behalf of the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, through a letter dated 23 October, for onward transmission to the members of the Security Council. The strategic end-state, as identified in the concept of operations, is significantly to deplete the military and related capacity of the Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups. Within this context, the security strategy in the period ahead is to create and preserve an enabling environment for the unfolding political peace and reconciliation processes in Somalia. The concept of operations addresses the challenges identified by the Joint African Union/United Nations benchmarking exercise. It is imperative to note that the most consistent view expressed during the development of the concept of operations was the importance of the provision of flexible and timely logistical support to AMISOM through a more responsive and robust United Nations Support Office for AMISOM. It was against this background that, in its communiqué of 18 September, the African Union Peace and Security Council, having welcomed the strategic review of the United Nations Support Office to AMISOM (UNSOA), underlined the imperative for UNSOA to remain an independent and dedicated capacity that reports to United Nations Headquarters and is accountable to the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for all matters relating to logistical support for AMISOM. This was seen as a sine qua non for the delivery of logistical support in a flexible, timely and responsive manner. While taking note of resolution 2245 (2015) and acknowledging the advances it contains with respect to support to both the AMISOM and Somali national security forces, I would like to reiterate the relevance of the Peace and Security Council’s position, as outlined above, and regret that this position was not adequately reflected in the resolution. I commend the African members of the Security Council for the sustained efforts they have made in the course of the consultations on the draft resolution for the AU’s concerns to be taken into account. In the period ahead, the African Union will consult with the Secretariat on the implementation of the relevant provisions of the resolution to ensure that the required support to AMISOM takes into account the peculiar conditions in which the Mission is operating and is delivered in a timely and responsive manner, based on the needs of the Mission and on the request made by the AMISOM leadership. The African Union welcomes the planned provision of in-theatre medical evacuation for the Somali police force. We express the hope that that step will be followed, in the not too distant future, by a logistical support package to the Somali police force, along the lines of the one provided to the Somali National Army. That is critical, in view of the increasing role expected of the Somali police forces in the period ahead in the context of the revised AMISOM concept of operations. While the African Union appreciates the United Nations support for AMISOM, it is also important to bear in mind that, in deploying a mission in Somalia, the AU is acting on behalf of the Security Council, which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Accordingly, the United Nations has the duty to provide all the necessary support to AMISOM, whose action aims at creating conditions conducive for the early deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation that would support the long-term stabilization and reconstruction of Somalia. Such enhanced support is all the more urgent and necessary, as AMISOM is facing additional constraints brought about by the decision of the European Union to cut the allowances to the uniformed personnel of AMISOM by 20 per cent, beginning in January 2016. That measure affects the very personnel who are making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on behalf of the entire international community. There is no doubt that that decision will have a serious adverse effect on the morale of uniformed personnel, at a time when more is expected of AMISOM on the ground. Let me add that the decision by the European Union will compound the serious financial gap already created by the depreciation of the euro in relation to the dollar. In conclusion, I would like to stress that we are in the last stretch of our long journey aimed at helping the Somali people and authorities bring to a definite end over two decades of senseless violence, untold suffering and complete anarchy, which has affected both regional and international security. At this critical juncture, AMISOM and the Somali national security forces deserve increased support. Without such support, we run the risk of undermining the tremendous achievements made at such a high cost during the past nine years. Needless to say, our support to Somalia should go beyond security. We have to step up our efforts to address the prevailing humanitarian challenges, which were compounded by the recent flooding, which resulted in additional displacement of populations. We have to increase our economic and financial support to provide the much-needed peace dividends to the suffering Somali population. We have to step up our capacity- building assistance for the emerging Somali State to be able to stand on its own and shoulder its responsibilities. It should nonetheless be clear that, ultimately, Somalia’s leaders have the primary responsibility for responding to the aspirations of their people to peace, security and reconciliation. They ought to do more and demonstrate the necessary leadership, vision and determination to that end.

I thank Mr. António for his briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

I am pleased to be present here today to participate in discussions on moving Somalia forward. It is indeed an honour for Somalia and to all of us here. Somalia cannot thank the Security Council enough for all that it has done to support it over the years. I was pleased to hear from the speakers before me today of their optimism and commitment to support the progress that Somalia is making. I would also like to welcome the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs, Mr. Philip Hammond, and to commend him for his leadership in presiding over today’s meeting. I would also like to thank the Special Representative to the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Kay, for his role in Somalia over the past two and a half years. Those must have been two difficult but also rewarding years for him in term of the progress that Somalia has made during his tenure as the Special Representative of the Secretary General. Mr. Kay has been steadfast in his support and infectious optimism for Somalia. It is a matter of disappointment that he has not been left to complete the process, which he has invested so much effort and emotion in shaping, along with national and international partners, especially at the present moment, when Somalia is experiencing an unprecedented level of collective momentum in the political process. I would like to assure Mr. Kay and the Council that Somalia’s political leadership, both at Federal and regional levels, are committed to move forward what is in the best interests of its people and country. All of us recognize that it is in the best of interests of Somalia to complete the State-building and electoral processes within the mandate of the current Government, which ends in August 2016. As all the briefers attested to, significant progress has been made in Somalia in almost all security and political fronts. At this early stage of rebuilding our Government, we have yet to bolster the economic sector, as has been the case with reard to the political and security sectors. With much more remaining to be done, as leaders we are prepared to go the extra mile to record more progress. The progress in Somalia since this Government took over the reins of leadership, at the end of 2012, the challenges that have to be overcome and the tasks that are still outstanding were all covered in great detail during the last High-level Partnership Forum, held in Mogadishu from 29 to 30 July. We are certain to talk about even greater milestones at the next such meeting, to be held some time in February 2016. We encourage high-level participation and we hope both you, Mr. President, and Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon will join us to take stock of our achievements and challenges and to plan for a sprint-lap to elections in 2016. As the Council is well aware, we held a series of top-level meetings on the political process in the month of October, which culminated in the inauguration of national consultative forum. Its maiden plenary session, which was held in Mogadishu on 19 and 20 October, brought together high-level representatives from the existing four regional administrations, led by their respective Presidents, the top leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia, as well as representatives from our international partners. Regional-level consultations will start in earnest in a matter of days, ahead of the national consultative forum meeting in December, to discuss and unveil the best possible election option, in the absence of a one-person-one-vote election, and agree on a timeline for the process for elections, which must take place in 2016. I am pleased to say that the process of establishing the last and final interim regional administration has officially begun. A technical committee, which will manage the process, has been put together. We expect to usher in the birth of a new regional administration, Hiraan and Middle Shabelle, by the end of the year. The reconstruction-review process is in progress. Although we are not happy with the pace of progress, the institutions concerned are progressing in a manner that has neveaur before been seen. A United Nations-facilitated workshop on the constitutional review, with stakeholder participation, was recently held in Mogadishu under my stewardship. A review of two chapters has been concluded, and we expect the remainder to be fast-tracked. There is no refuting the fact that we have made gains in the security sector. To cement those gains, the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia has made public its commitment to security-sector reform, especially in the areas of transparency and accountability. Progress in the integration of forces is under way. The Guulwade (Victory) Plan is key to the success of the integration process. What has not been inspiring, however, is the lack of donor support for the plan — as elaborate as it is. The Somali National Army still lacks in equipment, training and logistical support. That has hampered our ability to leverage the benefit of force integration in terms of the envisioned sustained offensive operations against Al-Shabaab. While being committed, the Federal Government of Somalia still faces challenges in assuming full responsibility for the payment of salaries to the security forces. Once we attain that goal, which we hope to do by January 2016, we hope to redirect stipends funding from our partners to further cover equipment, training and logistical support. Despite the military gains against Al-Shabaab that Council members have mentioned, Al-Shabaab’s recent offensive attacks against the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Army targets are disconcerting, to say the least. Complex attacks against hotels are a sign that, although Somalia and its international partners have won the war against Al-Shabaab, that group has yet to be dismantled. The Somali terror network’s recent proclamation of allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) is not to be taken lightly. For all its modest gains against that terrorist organization, Somalia cannot afford to allow a space for ISIS to exploit, which could enable it to reverse the hard-earned progress on security for which AMISOM and the Somali National Army have sacrificed so many lives. That is why we need the support of the Council more than ever before: to stand with Somalia against that terror network and to deny it the ability to regroup and to pose renewed threats in Somalia and the region. A resolution of the crisis in Yemen is crucial. That would go a long way towards keeping Al-Shabaab from accruing support from ISIS by using Yemen as conduit or launching pad. It is also vital to rally support for the Guulwade Plan. The Federal Government is committed to building the ability of its security forces to absorb the kind of support that they expect from our international partners. That is the job of the leadership of the Somali National Army, as well as the essence of effecting recent leadership changes at the top, namely, to bring about strategic, technical and operational reforms. The Federal Government of Somalia is prepared to back up those changes with progressive policies and civilian control. There is a serious need for AMISOM and the Somali National Army to reflect on recent attacks on their bases. The toll that Al-Shabaab is exacting against them compromises the confidence of the Somali people with respect to confronting Al-Shabaab. We welcome and encourage the efforts of our international partners to eliminate the leadership of Al-Shabaab. We owe it to AMISOM and to the Somali National Army to fulfil their commitment to defeating them. Finally, concerning security, while our special forces have performed impeccably well in saving lives, in real time, in the face of complex attacks on civilian business premises, our intelligence and pre-emptive capacities remain seriously flawed. Because of systematic intelligence shortcomings, our people are being subjected to preventable losses. That must end. It is disappointing that we seem to have resorted to verbal condemnations of Al-Shabaab. Their tactics are well known. We must focus further on action. With better coordination among AMISOM forces and between AMISOM and the Somali National Army, we can again turn the tables against Al-Shabaab and neutralize its ability to pose any real threat to civilian or military targets. Thanks to the Security Council’s anti-piracy resolutions, we have seen almost no incidents of violence during the past two years or so in Somali waters. While the result is reassuring, there is a need for sustainability. There is a need to protect the livelihood of coastal communities, long ravaged by piracy activities. Somalia also needs the Coucil’s support with respect to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in its waters. Lastly, poverty and the lack of economic prosperity play a major role in the appeal of extremism and terrorism. Uneducated, underemployed and unemployed youths remain a ticking time-bomb for Somalia — time that we cannot afford to waste. Somalia needs investment to support job-creation initiatives, education, vocational training and other basic infrastructure development programmes that will lead to true stability and sustainability. We can look to examples in the region for proof that the appeal to violent extremism decreases with individual or societal prosperity. As a Government, we are putting in place the necessary legal frameworks to attract and guarantee investment. Ones again, I would like to thank the Council and its leadership for promoting world peace and prosperity in general and for its continued support to the people of Somalia.

I shall now make a statement in my national capacity as the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is an honour to follow the Prime Minister of Somalia, who is working so hard to rebuild his country. Let me also thank the Secretary-General and Ambassador Téte António for all that the African Union has done to ensure that the United Nations and the African Union are working together to bring peace and prosperity to the people of Somalia. Our purpose today is to discuss what more we can do to defeat Al-Shabaab and deliver a better future for Somalia. But before we do so, I think it is helpful to remind ourselves of the past. Just four short years ago, Al-Shabaab controlled major cities inside Somalia, including Kismayo and the capital, Mogadishu. The security environment made trying to run a business a high-risk venture, where owners risked their goods, their property and sometimes their lives. That affected all of us directly too. In 2010 alone, there were 174 pirate attacks, and Somali pirates held 404 hostages. Fortunately, there has been much progress. Al-Shabaab is on the back foot, with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army now controlling 80 per cent of Somali territory. Somalia’s economy is reviving, with gross domestic product on the increase and shops and businesses opening at ever increasing rates. Off the shores of Somalia, as the Prime Minister has said, there have been no successful pirate attacks for over two years. I am pleased to describe that progress, because the United Kingdom has long recognized the need to build enduring peace and security in Somalia. Our commitment is clear and we have invested heavily. We are Somalia’s second-biggest bilateral donor. We have opened an Embassy in Mogadishu, the only European Union member State to do so. And we have strong personal links with the thriving Somali diaspora in the United Kingdom. But we must today take time to recognize and pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the brave AMISOM and Somali National Army troops on the front line of the fight. We should also pay tribute to the Federal Government of Somalia for the commitment it has demonstrated in helping to steer Somalia towards the completion of the federal map and a permanent sustainable political settlement. I also commend the vital role of the United Nations. Nick Kay has worked tirelessly since July 2013 as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to ensure that the United Nations is at the centre of international coordination and support for Somalia under difficult conditions, including the tragic loss of seven United Nations civilians. We are very grateful to him and his team for everything they have done. I am also grateful to the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), the most direct and tangible contribution of the United Nations to countering terrorism and extremism in the Horn of Africa. The successes of AMISOM and the Somali National Army in combating Al-Shabaab would have been impossible without the essential logistical support the Mission provides. It is clear that UNSOA has been under- resourced and that it has been operating at the very edge of its capabilities. I am therefore pleased that today we have all agreed to put that right, and I thank the Council for supporting resolution 2245 (2015). But the challenge for all of us — Somali and non-Somali alike — is to sustain effort and momentum, and to be fully coordinated as we do so. On security, that work has started. The President has committed to significant security sector reform, and I urge him and his Government to press forward with the implementation of those reforms. The United Kingdom will continue to play its part. As our Prime Minister announced here in September, we will deploy military, logistical, engineering and training expertise to reinforce the United Nations Support Office in Somalia in support of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Building security and stability are key, but the foundation on which they rest is political progress. In 2016 the eyes of the world will be on Somalia. Conducting a credible electoral process next year is critical. A failure to do so would risk undermining the collective effort to defeat Al-Shabaab, and all that has been achieved so far. It would risk undermining the international community’s support for Somalia but, most important, it would undermine the right of the Somali people to hold its leaders to account. Ensuring a credible electoral process will allow Somalia to show the world just how much progress has been made since 2012. It will quieten the remaining sceptical voices that say that political renewal cannot be achieved, and it will help in ensuring that the international community remains committed to supporting Somalia on the right path — a path towards a more secure, peaceful future. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting progress in Somalia. I urge the Council and other international allies to continue their commitment to the country. Unity of purpose and effort will ensure success. Over the coming year, our commitment must be shared by all across the political spectrum in Somalia. Personal differences and vested interests must be set aside for the good of the nation as a whole. As the Council has set out in resolution 2232 (2015), all key actors and institutions in Somalia, including Parliament, should engage constructively to ensure progress. Only then can we truly say that Somalia has turned a corner. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to other members of the Security Council.

Mr. President, through you, I wish to express my delegation’s appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, for his presence and for his briefing, which we heard with great interest. I also wish to thank Ms. Susanna Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Kay and Ambassador Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union, for their respective briefings, which were informative and helpful. I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the tireless dedication and efforts of the men and women serving in Somalia under the United Nations banner and in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). We honour their bravery, sacrifice and selfless service as we do the bravery, sacrifice and selfless service of the Somali national security forces. The unflagging commitment to and sacrifices made in providing support and assistance to the Government and the people of Somalia are a shining example of cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, fully in line with the highest ideals of the United Nations as enshrined in the Charter. Your presence here today, Mr. President, demonstrates the United Kingdom’s commitment to Somalia, particularly in its development and transition towards political and economic stability and to lasting peace and security in the country and in the region as a whole. Taking into account Somalia’s troubled history, its achievement to date of many significant milestones in building a democratic and politically inclusive State bodes well for the future. We are pleased to note and commend the strong commitment and ongoing support provided by a multitude of international partners and stakeholders towards entrenching democratic norms, good governance, including management of public finances, justice and rule of law, and respect for human rights as well as in addressing the acute humanitarian and development needs of the country. As a current member of the Council, Malaysia has participated actively in ongoing deliberations on how best we could collectively provide the necessary assistance and support needed by Somalia, while being fully mindful of the need to ensure that such efforts remain fully Somali-owned and Somali-led. In addition to resolution 2245 (2015) just adopted, the Security Council has adopted this year alone resolutions 2244 (2015), 2232 (2015) and 2221 (2015), which attests to the comprehensive and high level of Council’s attention on Somalia. Such attention is not only appropriate, but also absolutely critical to ensuring Somalia’s continued upward trajectory and in maintaining international peace and security, particularly in the region of the Horn of Africa. In this regard, we are heartened that Somalia’s State-formation processes, including the establishment and operationalization of state and regional administrations, could be concluded in 2015, paving the way for the realization of Vision 2016. Accordingly, we would urge all parties to conclude the necessary arrangements for an inclusive, transparent and credible electoral process. We are also pleased to note that notable progress has also been made on women’s political participation and leadership at national and local levels. We hope that efforts to redress gender imbalance in political representation are sustained. We are confident that, with the full commitment and determination of all leaders and relevant actors at the national level, coupled with support from international and regional partners, further key political and developmental milestones could be achieved. Looking ahead, Malaysia believes that future United Nations engagement with Somalia should more closely involve the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. With the support of the United Kingdom, we were pleased to have convened an informal interactive dialogue of the Council with Somali Government representatives, the Peacebuilding Council (PBC) and United Nations system actors during Malaysia’s presidency in June 2015. We are convinced that there is much scope for enhancing complementarity between the Council and the PBC, including on Somalia. While noting the many significant and positive gains made thus far, one key challenge which threatens to derail the progress achieved to date is the prevailing security threat. At the forefront of such threat is, of course, Al-Shabaab. While significant headway has been made in degrading Al-Shabaab’s capabilities, it retains a significant ability to inflict death and destruction, as was seen in its recent attack on the Sahafi Hotel earlier this month. We wish to stress that the fight against terrorism cannot be won through the force of arms alone. We therefore continue to advocate a comprehensive strategy of winning hearts and minds, not only of perpetrators but perhaps more critically, of their support bases within the civilian population. At this delicate stage of transition, it is important that public trust and confidence in national security institutions and actors be maintained. Malaysia believes that political leaders at the national and local levels, working in close coordination and collaboration with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), AMISOM and the Somali national security forces, are best placed to take the lead in this regard. A related area of worry is the protection of civilians. We remain concerned by reports of allegations of continuing human rights violations and abuses, particularly against women and children. We urge the relevant authorities to investigate such allegations and ensure that perpetrators are held to account. At the same time, we greatly appreciate the ongoing efforts by United Nations actors on the ground, particularly UNICEF and UNSOM, in promoting awareness and mainstreaming the issue of child protection in the policies and activities of the Somali National Army. We commend the Federal Government’s commitment and determination to end and prevent recruitment and use of children by national security forces. The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains fragile, due in part to the volatile security situation and domestic economic challenges that exacerbate the difficulties observed in delivering humanitarian assistance across large parts of the country. The conflict in Yemen has also placed additional stresses on the humanitarian infrastructure in Somalia. Despite having only modest resources and capabilities, since the early 1990s, when we first contributed troops to the United Nations Operation in Somalia II, Malaysia has supported and assisted Somalia; it continues to do so today. To date, Malaysia has undertaken a number of development initiatives in Somalia, including projects to refurbish and upgrade existing wells as well as to install water pumps in remote areas in order to supply clean water to approximately 20,000 people. We have also disbursed financial and in-kind contributions to schools for disabled children, internally displaced persons, orphanages and the Somali National Eye Centre. Recently, the Malaysian non-governmental organization, Perdana Global Peace Foundation, initiated a microcredit project aimed at empowering women and single mothers to start their own small businesses. In line with our commitment to South-South cooperation, Malaysia continues to offer technical assistance, including higher education scholarships, to Somali nationals under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. We stand ready to consider providing tailored courses if so requested. In conclusion, I reaffirm Malaysia’s commitment to working closely with all Council members, the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations, the African Union and the international community towards lasting peace, security and development for Somalia.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and for the United Kingdom’s deep commitment to stability and democracy in Somalia. I would also like to thank Prime Minister Sharmarke for joining us today and for his leadership. I am grateful to Mr. Kay, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his dedicated work and for all he has given and the risks he has taken for Somalia over the years, and to Ambassador António for all that the African Union (AU) has invested in and sacrificed for Somalia. At the end of August, Mogadishu experienced something it had not had in years — an international book fair. More than 1,000 people came from around the country and abroad. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was one of them. They bought books, attended readings, participated in panels and discussed issues ranging from literature to education to local governance. According to one report, more than half the books sold were written by women. That such an event could occur and so many people would attend demonstrated just how much is changing in Mogadishu. Locals recalled the open-air book fairs that used to take place in the 1980s. One said, “With events like this, Mogadishu is gradually reclaiming its image”. A Somali who travelled from the northern city of Hargeysa told a reporter, “It is my seventh time in Mogadishu. This time it is different. So much creativity and talent displayed in one place... It is beautiful being here.” The change under way in Somalia is real. We all know the fragility of the political transition, and we all know the horrors still being inflicted by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which continues to assault Somalia’s Government and people. But it is important to recognize that there have been security and economic gains and that those gains are meaningful and important. The international community’s focus must now be on building and sustaining momentum on two critical and interconnected fronts — improving security through increased military and police pressure on Al-Shabaab and improving governance by supporting accountable Government institutions. Thanks to the perseverance and sacrifice of African Union soldiers, and with support from the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia (UNSOA), the territory that Al-Shabaab controls is shrinking, while Government authority is expanding, as seen, for instance, in the recapture of key towns such as Baardheere and Diinsoor. But while Al-Shabaab is diminished, its brutal strikes on civilians in Mogadishu and large-scale attacks on AU peacekeepers demonstrate that it is not defeated. Fulfilling that mission will require continuing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union. Resolution 2245 (2015) will help ensure that the United Nations, through the renamed United Nations Support Office in Somalia, improves its logistic support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Somali National Army and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia. The recently completed strategic review of UNSOA identified key ways to improve our support to the political transition, and we very much appreciate the United Kingdom’s leadership in addressing the report’s recommendations through today’s resolution. The number of personnel supported by UNSOA has more than quadrupled, to more than 33,000. The area of operations has increased 4,000 times over. It is extremely important that the changes in resolution 2245 (2015) have now taken account of those new circumstances and responsibilities. Maintaining momentum on the security front will require continued bilateral support for AMISOM. The African troops fighting for Somalia’s future have achieved major successes, but not without significant costs — first and foremost the scores of AMISOM troops who have given their lives to this important mission and whose sacrifice we deeply respect and honour. The United States will remain a steadfast partner of the AMISOM troop-contributing countries, providing equipment, pre-deployment training and other assistance. And, as we do with United Nations peacekeeping operations, we will continue to urge that AMISOM investigate reports of serious violations or abuses of human rights, including those that involve the killing of civilians or sexual exploitation and abuse, and that AMISOM hold accountable those responsible. Ultimately, lasting security in Somalia will come through the development of a professional and effective Somali National Army that respects human rights and civilian control. The United States has provided some $300 million in training and other support, and we will continue to help the Somali National Army build capacity so that it can defend its people. But a new Somalia will not come through military force alone, needless to say, and improving governance in Somalia must be a huge and urgent priority. The security gains of AMISOM and the National Army have created a historic opportunity. It is now up to Somalia’s political leadership to seize it and, with the help of the international community, to lead the transition to a stable, national and representative Government. To that end, we welcome President Hassan Sheikh’s repeated commitment to holding elections in 2016, which have been reiterated by his administration, the Parliament and regional officials. We urge the Somali Government to work with the international community to ensure a process that is free and fair and that ultimately represents the will of the Somali people, including internally displaced persons and refugees. We also appreciate the President’s public commitment to improving accountability and transparency in the security sector. The same high standard must be rigorously applied across the entire public sector. There can be no tolerance for corruption, fraud or abuse within the Government or the electoral process. Such misconduct will threaten the entire transition. The Somali people deserve a Government that puts the public’s needs first and is committed to serving all Somalis. The Mogadishu international book fair points to the readiness of Somalis to put war behind them. As one of the fair’s organizers said, “Next year will be bigger and better, God willing”. He was referring to the fair, but his words ring equally true for his country. Somalia’s future can be bigger and better if security and political progress continues. The United States stands alongside Somalis in their determination to see that happen.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting at such a crucial time for Somalia, and to thank Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and the key actors in the region, such as the African Union, as represented by Ambassador António, for their presence. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, and especially Mr. Nicholas Kay, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for all his work in helping us to reach this hopeful moment. During our time on the Security Council, Somalia has definitely remained high on the African agenda. Spain is firmly committed to Somalia and the region, as we have demonstrated through our participation in major international forums, most recently the High- level Partnership Forum held in Mogadishu in July, and through our contribution to and participation in the operations and missions in the area. The Somali political process has suffered numerous ups and downs in the past few years. While we can say that significant progress has been made, much still remains to be done. With our focus fixed on the coming year and meeting the goals established in Vision 2016, we should urge all the Somali political actors to be decisive in addressing the country’s major challenges — the process of creating a federation, the 2016 elections and the fight against Al-Shabaab. In that regard, we welcome the progress that has been made with the process of building a federal State, in which a number of states are already participating, and with successfully completing their interim constitutions, and we urge them to continue negotiations with the remaining states. The 2016 elections will be key for Somalia. We were pleased to see the launch of the consultative process for settling the election format and the holding of the most recent national consultative forum on 19 and 20 October. We hope that spirit of cooperation will continue in the regional consultations due to take place in the coming weeks, so that in December, at its next national consultative forum, Somalia can agree on a format for the 2016 elections. In the preparations for the elections, there are two issues to that we consider to be fundamental. First, we must ensure that, regardless of the formula used, the electoral process will be inclusive, transparent and representative. The second concern is holding the elections on schedule in August 2016. Achieving that will require that the executive and legislative bodies overcome their potential differences and work on constitutional reform and developing a legal framework that allows for the holding of the elections. We commend President Mohamud’s commitment made at the United Nations in New York to holding elections in 2016, and we are convinced that Somalia, with its various powers, is ready to carry out that task successfully in the coming months. To that end, it has the support of the United Nations and the Security Council. Al-Shabaab poses the greatest threat to security in Somalia and the region. Its terrorist activities this year demonstrate that the group remains active with full operational capability. While we welcome the advances of the African Union Mission in Somalia in recent months, we draw attention to the need to effectively exercise State authority in the territories that have been recovered from Al-Shabaab so that their inhabitants can enjoy the dividends of peace. We believe that military operations in and of themselves cannot end the threat of terrorism, and that what is necessary is a broader approach to fighting Al-Shabaab, including support for the development of a State capable of providing its citizens with security, political participation, economic opportunities and the protection of human rights. Security sector reform is key in that regard. The Somali National Army and police should increase their role and effectiveness so as to ensure security in the zones liberated from Al-Shabaab and along the principal supply routes. To that end, we encourage the Somali authorities to implement the Guulwade Plan and Heegan Plan, because we consider it crucial to achieve substantive progress in reforms before the 2016 elections. The humanitarian situation remains extremely serious and risks being exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon. We are also concerned about the arrival of Somali refugees from Yemen, given the limited resources to receive them. To conclude, Spain is convinced that the peace, stabilization and development of Somalia will not be possible without the construction of a State, and there will not be a sustainable State without Somali ownership. To that end, while we recognize and appreciate the efforts made so far, we encourage the transitional Government and the various institutions and actors participating in the process to overcome their differences and work together for Somalia and for Vision 2016, which have the international community’s support.

The presence in the Council today of Secretary Hammond confirms the United Kingdom’s strong commitment to Somalia. We also wish to thank the Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, the Special Representative of the Secretary- General Kay and Ambassador Téte António for their briefings, and Prime Minister Sharmarke for his statement. New Zealand has had a considerable involvement with Somalia and the Somali people during the past 25 years. A good number of Somalis came to New Zealand as refugees in the 1980s and 1990s and have settled in our country. The last time we served on the Council in 1993 and 1994 coincided with the high point of the United Nations peacemaking efforts through the United Nations Operation in Somalia II and then the sad collapse of those efforts as Somalia descended into a state of lawlessness that made the continued presence of peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel untenable. It was a sad and difficult time for the Council and for the United Nations as a whole, for Africa and, most of all, for the Somali people. Thanks principally to the efforts of the African Union (AU) and the countries of the region, acting through the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and with the support of the United Nations, Somalia is now in a better, if still difficult situation. There is much that can rightly be celebrated — not least the fact that there is in place a functioning Federal Government of Somalia and Government security forces that, together with the AMISOM troops, have managed to push back Al-Shabaab and loosen its hold on much of the country. We commend the bravery of the Somali and AMISOM troops and pay particular tribute to the willingness of Ethiopia and Kenya to continue to lead the fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa. Thankfully, as we have heard, piracy is no longer the perennial threat off Somalia’s coast that it used to be. However, the Secretary-General’s report (S/2015/702) highlights the many difficulties that still have to be addressed across a wide spectrum, ranging from the basic need to establish security and stability across the whole of the country, to putting in place sound and representative governance structures, to re-igniting economic development and to ensuring respect for the rule of law and human rights. It is clear that Somalia has some distance to go in its transition to again being a fully functioning State. It is essential that the Security Council and the wider United Nations system continue to support Somalia, the States of the region and the African Union throughout the process. Important measures have been taken in the past few months to put that support on a firmer basis. We note in particular the steps to harmonize the mandates of AMISOM and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), following the joint United Nations-AU benchmarking review of AMISOM and the recasting of the United Nations support operations for AMISOM and UNSOM through resolution 2245 (2015), which we have adopted today. The Council will need to continue to pay close attention to the situation in Somalia in the coming years. Despite the many other pressing issues on its agenda, the Council cannot afford to see Somalia slip back into anarchy and violence. As the past 20 years have shown, that would be a disaster for the whole region, as well as for the people of Somalia. On the ground, there will need to be practical measures to improve coordination as recommended in the benchmarking review, in particular, the proposed High-level Partnership Forum and the trilateral memorandum of understanding between the United Nations, the AU and the troop- contributing countries. We urge the newly appointed heads of AMISOM, UNSOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia to make relationship- building and cooperation between their organizations key priorities. We also urge other States in the region to continue to support Somalia’s process of national rebuilding. They are central to progress on federalism and to long-term political stability. They need to be part of stabilization and service delivery in the areas recovered from Al-Shabaab. The development of a truly national Somali National Army requires their support for the implementation of the Guulwade Plan and for the long- term development of the Army. At the political level, the Somali National Consultative Forum and next year’s elections will be important milestones on Somalia’s path back to nationhood. Somalia’s leaders at both the national and regional levels have vitally important roles to play. Their focus must be on the good of the country and of the Somali people and not on their personal or clan self- interest. It was the pursuit of those narrow interests that led Somalia to national disaster in the 1990s. In that regard, the levels of corruption in Somalia are a real threat to stability and to economic and political progress. The non-payment of Somali soldiers is a continuing example of that, and one that will undoubtedly affect security both in the short term and the long term. We welcome the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle corruption, including by investigating the non-payment of soldiers, and urge it to continue those efforts. It is almost 25 years now since Somalia last knew peace. Through the courage, determination and sacrifice of the Somali leadership and people, AMISOM contributors and other international partners, we now have the real possibility of a different Somalia — one of unity, stability and prosperity. The Council must continue to play its part in making this a reality. Finally, let me thank Nicholas Kay for his signal contribution to Somalia’s recovery.

I wish at the outset to thank you, Sir, for convening this debate. My delegation expresses its gratitude to Ms. Malcorra, Mr. Kay, Mr. Téte António and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke for their briefings. Despite the security constraints, the political situation in Somalia has seen progress, as reflected in the commitment of the political leaders of that sisterly nation and the Somali people to promoting for peace and stability. On 23 October, the Permanent Representative of Somalia briefed the Council (see S/PV.7541) on the progress seen in the functioning of institutions, such as the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Somalia, Somalia’s parliamentary oversight committees, the Office of the Accountant General and the independent Office of the Auditor General. We applaud the various achievements under way in the country’s political process, in particular the establishment of the Boundaries and Federation Commission, which will be responsible for advising Parliament on the delimitation of the federal states’ borders, regional Administrations and districts in the country. Venezuela emphasizes that the achievement of lasting peace in Somalia will depend largely on that important federalization process. We also look forward to achieving an agreement on security sector reform, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the institutions in the new, federalized Somalia. Such reform must encourage the integration of the militias into the national security apparatus and create human rights accountability mechanisms. Importantly, the measures to strengthen peace and political stability must be implemented holistically, with improvements in the socioeconomic conditions of the Somali people at the core of the process as a whole. Without a genuine focus on the conditions that fuel terrorism, neither peace nor security will exist for Somalia and the neighbouring countries that are suffering the brunt of such acts. With respect to the security situation in Somalia, we highlight the smooth triangular cooperation among the African Union, through the deployment of ground troops, the United Nations through its political and logistical assistance, and the European Union and other countries in providing financing. Everything has been carried out with the consent and active participation of the State of Somalia, including its national armed forces. In that context, Venezuela reaffirms its full support for resolution 2245 (2015), which was just adopted by the Council and, inter alia, establishes the mandate of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia to provide logistical support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia nd the Somali armed forces through joint operations with AMISOM. However, Venezuela remains concerned about the spread of Al-Shabaab deeper into the Horn of Africa, particularly in north- eastern Kenya, and its new strategy of blocking humanitarian access routes and asymmetric attacks. We are also concerned that the absence of a viable civilian administration in areas liberated from Al-Shabaab is leading to a resurgence of intercommunal conflict in southern and central Somalia. With respect to the humanitarian situation, we must keep in mind that, although the situation has improved exponentially compared to 2010 and previous years, 3.2 million people still require survival assistance. I recall that Somalia ranks second worldwide in infant mortality, to which we must add the 203,000 malnourished children and 1.1 millions individuals displaced from their homes. In that context, Venezuela expresses deep concern over the decline in humanitarian aid due to financial and security constraints. On the one hand, United Nations action is severely underfunded, achieving only 28 per cent of the necessary funding; on the other, the important and noteworthy humanitarian effort that took place in Mogadishu in 2011 has been undermined by the actions of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization, which has resorted to blocking humanitarian aid access routes. It is particularly alarming that, as the presence of new diplomatic actors has increased in the capital, the number of humanitarian actors in the country has been reduced by the lack of resources and insecurity. In short, Somalia has accomplished important progress in the political sector in recent years. Going forward, the Somali authorities should proceed with caution, ensuring that the process of federalization is compatible with the sustained political and institutional momentum. To conclude, the ongoing dynamic compels us to maintain and strengthen our commitment to the State of Somalia and its authorities in the fight against Al-Shabaab, to overcoming the conditions of socioeconomic exclusion of the majority, to consolidating the political process and to caring for those affected by the conflict. Without international help, that will prove impossible.

I too wish to begin by thanking you, Sir, for presiding over this meeting. Indeed, it signals the United Kingdom’s commitment to an issue that is so important to us all. I thank the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, the Permanent Observer of the African Union and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, for their interventions. I wish to pay tribute, through the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, to those United Nations personnel who have paid with their lives in their commitment to assisting the Somali people. We have just adopted resolution 2245 (2015), on redefining the logistical assistance mandate entrusted to the entity that will henceforth be known as the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). I thank the British delegation for drafting the resolution, which implements the conclusions of the strategic review conducted by the Secretary-General. The mandate of the entity is clarified and the procedures are simplified, with a focus on increased operational effectiveness in the field. Those changes were necessary. France salutes the courage and dedication of the troops of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali security forces in leading the fight against Al-Shabaab. I pay tribute to all soldiers of the African Union who have made the supreme sacrifice in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The efforts of the international community, especially the African Union, with the support of the European Union and the United States, are paying off, but they can be reversed. Much more progress is necessary. Al-Shabaab is demonstrating significant resilience, and while international and Somali forces theoretically control 80 per cent of the territory, the terrorist organization remains capable of operating over a large part of the same. Our common objective is to continue the fight against that terrorist group, which persists in carrying out murderous attacks against Somali institutions and AMISOM, as well as in Kenya. Al-Shabaab remains undefeated, as was again demonstrated by the 1 November attack, which caused many casualties. France extends it condolences to the Prime Minister and, through him, to the people of Somalia over this new, heinous attack. Given the situation, it is essential that AMISOM quickly resume the offensive in order to exert maximum pressure. The need for a surge in effectiveness would correspond to a qualitative improvement in the functioning of AMISOM and its troops, as affirmed by resolution 2124 (2013) and recalled in resolution 2232 (2015) of last July. That should result in concrete and operational improvements. AMISOM troops must be fully integrated under a single, clear chain of command, with joint planning and execution, and full sharing of information; necessary force multipliers must be made available. AMISOM would greatly benefit from such implementation without further delay. We call on the African Union and the troop-contributing countries to follow up. Qualitative improvements in logistical support, through the adoption of a new mandate for UNSOS, will remain dead letter without the active involvement of the Somali Government in building a credible Somali National Army that is responsive and financially sustainable. That is one of the main challenges of the current period. The international community stands ready to tackle this issue, in support of the Somali authorities; however, international support in the area of security-sector reform must be contingent on an increased demonstration of the will of the Somali Government in this respect. The issue of the payment of salaries and bonuses must also be resolved as a priority matter, failing which the security situation could deteriorate. As previous speakers have noted, the headway made in the military drive against Al-Shabaab will be lasting only if it goes hand in hand with a robust, dynamic and credible political process. France welcomes the efforts of the Somali Government to reach agreement on a federal structure and better governance, particularly through the creation of regional interim administrations and a strengthened effort to combat corruption. Beyond that, from a political point of view, 2016 will be a decisive year because of the elections. This will help to confer indisputable legitimacy on the country’s authorities, which will be able to continue and consolidate their efforts to bring Somalia back onto the path towards lasting peace and long-awaited development.

We wish to thank the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, Mr. Philip Hammond, for having convened a meeting on this important issue. We would like also to thank Ms. Susanna Malcorra for her briefing, on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and that of His Special Representative for Somalia, Mr. Nicholas Kay. We welcome the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, and Mr. Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union. In recent years, we have been witness to the joint efforts undertaken by the Somali authorities, international partners, the African Union and the United Nations system to bring about peace and development in Somalia. Given that the year 2016 will be a key one for Somalia, the international community must redouble its efforts to support that country. Political actors must also continue to contribute to the achievement of unity and consensus, especially in the areas of the restoration of the rule of law, the constitutional process and political and federal integration. We value the indications given by Somali leaders with regard to their intention to continue on the path of a broad and inclusive political process. In this regard, we hope that women will be included as active participants at all stages of peacebuilding, as they are powerful agents for change. The security situation remains a source of concern. We value the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia and other international actors in the fight against Al-Shabaab, and we reiterate that this offensive, in keeping with international law and human rights, must go hand in hand with a process of stabilization and consolidation. As we have repeatedly stressed in the Council, terrorism cannot be overcome through military means alone. It is vital to address the issues of social exclusion, poverty and limited access to education, all of which provide fertile ground for the spread of extremism and terrorism. We are concerned by the humanitarian situation in Somalia and its impact on boys and girls. The international community must respond to the regional crisis by supporting the various humanitarian calls made. We welcome the adoption of resolution 2245 (2015). Given the pivotal role that the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia has played, it was deemed necessary to adapt its configuration to the current situation on the ground, so that it could continue to be a relevant actor. We hope that the United Nations Support Office in Somalia will address and respond to the existing administrative, coordination and structural shortcomings. The resilience of the people of Somalia and their desire to overcome conflict are encouraging, which is why at this stage the international community cannot fail them. As President Michelle Bachelet so rightly stated in the Council last January (see S/PV.7361), peace is a prerequisite for the protection and promotion of fundamental rights, and social inclusion and inclusive development are preconditions for peace.

I should like, at the outset, to thank you, Mr. President, for having come to New York to preside over this important meeting on Somalia. I wish in particular to welcome the presence of the Prime Minister of Somalia, whom I also thank for having come to New York and for having shared with the Council his vision of the new Somalia. I also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for his briefing, and the permanent Observer of the African Union for participating in this meeting as well. The Angolan delegation welcomes the convening of this debate on the situation in Somalia at a crossroads for the country’s future. The briefings delivered here have provided a better understanding of the progress achieved and of the challenges being faced by the people and the Government of Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations and international partners, which have joined forces to help to build the new Somalia in peace and in stability. In 2016, Somali is expected to hold elections, which will represent a crucial landmark in the implementation of Vision 2016, the road map established by the Somali authorities regarding the federal and State-building process, the constitutional review and preparations for elections. However, despite the significant progress achieved so far, we must acknowledge deep concerns over the political crisis and tensions among State actors at the highest level. Last year, political tensions between the President and the former Prime Minister resulted in considerable delays in the establishment of vital parliamentarian organs and overall progress in the implementation of the Vision 2016 inclusive political framework. After decades of instability, Angola expects that the political actors will put the highest interests of the State and the people at the centre of their concerns, instead of political agendas. The leaders and the people of Somalia must stand united and remain focused on the country’s political priorities, which, in accordance with the national and international consensus, are the preparations for and holding of elections in 2016, to advance the State-building process and fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists. In this regard, we welcome the second Ministerial meeting of the High-level Partnership Forum, the creation of the National Independent Electoral Commission, the Boundaries and Federation Commission and the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission. The avowed possibility that a one-person, one-vote election may not be held in 2016 is a matter of concern, and we look forward to the setting up of an alternative electoral ballot method, taking into account the need for inclusivity and the enfranchisement of all Somalis. Inclusiveness and commitment are key issues in the Somali political and constitutional process. The meeting on the constitutional review process recently held in Mogadishu produced a road map for an inclusive and participatory process. It established benchmarks for the adoption of a new constitution by March 2016, which we hope will be met. The most recent report of the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group on Somalia (see S/2015/801) raises alarming questions related to the misappropriation of resources by the political and business elite, corruption, human rights violations by anti-Al-Shabaab forces, delays in the establishment of vital parliamentary organs, and activities of individuals or groups referred to as “spoiler networks in Somalia”. Everything must be done to impede those alleged spoilers to jeopardize the efforts and hopes of the whole nation, especially Somali youth. Regarding the fight against Al-Shabaab after the success achieved by Operation Eagle and Operation Indian Ocean, it is vital to establish State authority in the areas recovered from the terrorists, establish services that benefit the population and, by so doing, remove some of the root causes of support for terrorist groups. In that regard, we welcome the progress made in building the capacities of the Somali National Army and State police forces and in the implementation of the national programme for disengaged combatants, while expressing concern over the lack of sufficient funding for those crucial projects. The National Army and police will be called upon to play a crucial role in securing the elections during the electoral period, when the Al-Shabaab terrorists are expected to try actively to disrupt the electoral process. In that context, we are deeply concerned that the Somali Government is experiencing difficulties in paying salaries to the Somali National Army and other security forces. That situation might gravely impair the preparations, readiness and the security and stability of the country in general. Nevertheless, we commend the support that the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia is providing to the Somali National Army and that of all Member States contributing to the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund established at Somalia donor conference. We also commend the countries contributing troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia and the troops themselves, who are engaged in an extremely difficult mission. Angola takes this opportunity to express a heartfelt tribute to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against the forces of terrorism, and for the attainment of freedom and, ultimately, for peace in Somalia. With regard to the human rights situation, we deem it particularly important that the Federal Government and the regional authorities ensure strict compliance with international standards and respect for the rule of law in security operations. In conclusion, despite the substantial progress achieved to date, the situation prevailing in Somalia is still fragile. It is up to the international community, particularly the Security Council, to remain vigilant and supportive in ensuring sustainable peace, stability, economic and social development, and respect for human rights and the rule of law in Somalia. The Somali Federal Government and all stakeholders must remain committed to those goals in order to continue enjoying the confidence and support from the international community for the attainment of the goals which involved a great investment to guarantee a better future for the people of Somalia.

Your presence in the Council today, Sir, demonstrates the importance that the United Kingdom accords to the search for peace and security in Somalia. We welcome the Prime Minister Sharmarke of Somalia to the Security Council, and thank him for his statement. We deeply appreciate the statements of our briefers. We thank Mr. Nicholas Kay for his resilience, Ambassador Téte António for his determination and Ms. Susana Malcorra for her commitment. Somalia has made significant progress in its post- conflict recovery. That seems to be the consensus around the table. The formation of federal states and the creation and consolidation of regional Interim Administrations are eloquent examples of that progress. We also see encouraging developments in the establishment of key mission-building institutions, in particular the Boundaries and Federation Commission. We believe that these building blocks are essential to the realization of efficient and stable federalism in Somalia. The conduct of nationwide elections will serve to consolidate that federalist approach. We urge the Somali Government and other stakeholders to commit to an inclusive, legitimate and peaceful process in the conduct of the 2016 elections. The composition of the National Independent Electoral Commission and the appointment of the chairperson are significant developments. It is essential that the Commission be sufficiently equipped and empowered to successfully prepare and manage the 2016 electoral process. The current attacks by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group continue to pose a threat not only to Somalia, but indeed to the entire region. We commend the determination and courage of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army in fighting Al-Shabaab, and we express are unwavering support for the ongoing Operation Juba Corridor. We welcome the recent African Union-United Nations harmonized concept of operations for AMISOM. We hope that it will enhance United Nations support to AMISOM and political process in Somalia. It is crucial that the military gains recorded by the joint operations of AMISOM and the Somali National Army against Al-Shabaab be consolidated to forestall a resurgence of the group. We believe that this can be best achieved by a coordinated stabilization strategy. The formation and operation of functional caretaker administrations in the newly recovered districts must remain a priority in order to avoid the creation of a vacuum that could be exploited by terrorists. Security sector reform (SSR) is an important vehicle for supporting the security and safety of the State and indeed the Somali people. In that regard, we take note of the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia to build a more integrated and accountable security sector. The development of effective and accountable security sector institutions would significantly benefit the process of stabilization in Somalia. If those strategies are to produce tangible outcomes, attention must be paid to the development of a Somalia national security architecture and other SSR initiatives. On the economic front, we acknowledge the efforts of the Federal Government to promote sustainable economic development in Somalia through a national development plan based on the New Deal Compact. We welcome the recent International Monetary Fund article iv consultation mission in Somalia, described in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2015/702) as the first in 25 years. It is our expectation that this will facilitate the country’s access not only to concessional lending, but especially its debt forgiveness process. Still on economic issues, we commend the World Bank for its support to the development of the Somali power sector and other measures the Bank has taken to enhance job creation and private investment in the country. We also commend the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for its support to the Somali agricultural sector, including the vaccination of 14 million livestock. With regard to health care, we welcome the adoption in June of the Somali National Health Policy. We acknowledge the progress made in service delivery across Somalia with essential health services now reaching over 4.2 million people. Concerning the education sector, we are pleased to note that, in June, over 7,000 students took the first centralized examination for students completing secondary school since 1991. This is a major achievement for which we commend the Somali authorities. We urge donors to field the funding gap that is hampering the provision of non-formal training to overage children. The more young Somalis can be productively engaged, the better it will be for social stability in the country. Resolution 2245 (2015), which the Council unanimously adopted today, will significantly enhance the capacity of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, the successor to the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia. This is critical for effective operations by AMISOM and the Somali National Army. As the leaders of Somalia and all people of good will steadily and stridently reassemble the elements and ingredients of national power, we must all sustain the momentum. We commend the leaders of Somalia for their commitment to reducing the threats to peace and security in their country. We acknowledge their efforts to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions. We encourage the Government and all stakeholders to remain focused on the task ahead. Our collective aspiration is to see in the very near future a peaceful, stable, prosperous, federalist, democratic and united Somalia.

I thank the presidency of the United Kingdom for organizing this briefing on Somalia, which reminds us that this country definitely merits the Council’s focused attention. I thank all the briefers for their valuable inputs. Allow me to express special thanks to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Kay, who established and led the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) under exceptionally difficult conditions, always with the interests of the Somali people at heart. We warmly welcome Prime Minister Sharmarke’s presence in the Chamber this morning. The recent positive developments in Somalia — political stabilization, the declaration of Vision 2016 and genuine steps towards federalization of the country — encourage cautious optimism about its future. The Somali leadership has come together and agreed to inclusive and transparent consultations regarding the 2016 electoral process. The regional consultations will provide crucial input to the meeting of the National Consultative Forum in December, where a decision will be taken on Somalia’s electoral model. We understand that finding consensus will not be easy, but it is what the Somali people need and the international community expects. While some may call for an extension of the current political dispensation, that is not the way to go. Somalia deserves a political transition in 2016, through an electoral process that gives the Federal Parliament, President and Government enhanced legitimacy with a new mandate. We welcome Somalia’s pledge to form the final regional Interim Administration, consisting of Hiraan and Shabelle Dhexe, before the end of the year. This will, by and large, complete Somalia’s federal map — an impressive achievement in itself. More attention will be needed for a strengthened dialogue and cooperation between the centre and the periphery. Eradicating poverty and addressing the fragile economy, the lack of alternative livelihoods and weak governance structures must remain at the heart of the Federal Government’s efforts, as all those factors are a major source of instability. Efforts need to continue to lay the foundations for an inclusive and sustainable economic recovery and development, as well for support for livestock, agriculture and the fisheries sector. The active involvement of young people and women in the ongoing processes is essential. Women’s empowerment and their active involvement at all levels is particularly important for sustaining the long-term stability and development of the country. With all the positive and promising developments in Somalia, we cannot forget the serious and systematic violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated by Al-Shabaab and others against the civilian population, including women, children, journalists, parliamentarians, human rights defenders and humanitarian workers. We are particularly alarmed by the abuses against children. Other delegations have spoken to this effect. Nearly 750 cases of grave violations against children have been reported over a year’s time. All parties to the conflict have a responsibility to protect civilians. All allegations of mass atrocity crimes must be investigated and perpetrators must be held to account. The same applies to the allegations of sexual violence, exploitation and abuse. We must stand firm with regard to the imperative of a zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual abuse and violence. Again all allegations to that effect must be investigated and the perpetrators held to account. This year the Committee to Protect Journalists put Somalia at the top of the list of countries most dangerous to journalists. They are targeted by Al-Shabaab militants who have for years threatened and assaulted journalists for their courageous coverage of the group’s murderous activities. Most recently, on 1 November several journalists were wounded and one killed in an attack against a hotel in central Mogadishu. We must remember those who dare to expose the terrorists, also at the expense of their own lives. They too deserve justice. Concerted international assistance has played a crucial role in the progress that Somalia has achieved so far. We welcome the conclusions of the review of the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia, which notes that this unique Mission was overstretched and no longer entirely fit for its purpose. We hope that the newly established United Nations Support Office in Somalia, with its well- defined mandate and resources, will be able perform its role as expected. Continued adequate support for the African Union Mission in Somalia, the Somali National Army and UNSOM is required. It is important that the long- delayed and key force enablers, such as transport and attack helicopters, be deployed, which would mark a qualitative shift in the ongoing campaign against Al-Shabaab and facilitate the permanent opening of the main supply routes that are so critical to civilian traffic, as well as humanitarian supplies. We have 10 critical and sensitive months ahead of us. We look forward to all Somali leaders and politicians working together in good faith for the common good of the Somali people and the Somali nation. Personal interests should be put aside at this most critical juncture, for the sake of continued progress towards the fulfilment of Vision 2016. The continued and well-coordinated assistance of Somalia’s international partners is also required, under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, to provide Somalia with the political and financial support that it needs.

We thank all participants in today’s meeting who briefed the Council, in particular the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, His Excellency Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. We commend the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and share the assessments of the Secretary-General with regard to the activities of UNSOM contained in the strategic review (S/2015/702). We note that the United Nations Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia has to operate against the backdrop of an unfolding humanitarian crisis and unabated terrorist attacks by Al-Shabaab. At the same time, it is actively involved in the political process and is addressing a growing number of tasks. We believe that the tense military and political situation in Somalia calls for the armed fight against Al-Shabaab to be intensified through capacity- building for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali national security forces, which will require, first and foremost, a scaling up of United Nations-provided material and technical support. We are concerned about the increase in Al-Shabaab’s activity, both inside and outside Somalia; the coordination of actions between Somali extremists and other terrorist organizations in Africa — Boko Haram, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Eddine; and increasing Al-Shabaab attacks against neighbouring States, including Kenya, and hostilities against Ethiopia and Djibouti. We believe it is necessary to maintain military pressure on Somali extremists. We urge the international community to continue to take measures to strengthen the capacity of the Somali army and AMISOM. We highly value the efforts of UNSOM in supporting AMISOM to implement Security Council decisions in this area. The growing task-load and problems for UNSOM — chiefly, its underfunding and understaffing — must be addressed immediately. We have no objections to proposals to increase financing to the Mission, in due compliance with standards of transparency and accountability for specialized programmes, as well as the involvement of other United Nations agencies in implementing such projects. Through targeted contributions to the relevant United Nations funds and programmes, the Russian Federation regularly provides humanitarian assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia and for Somali refugees in neighbouring countries. From 2011 to 2014, our assistance exceeded $12 million. This year, through the World Food Programme, Russia has provided $1 million for Somalia and $2 million for the approximately 1 million Somali refugees in Kenya.

I must first thank the United Kingdom presidency for having organized this briefing on the situation in Somalia. I also thank Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minster of Somalia; Ms. Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General; Mr. Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General; and Ambassador Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, for their briefings. Over the past few years, thanks to the huge sacrifices and tireless joint efforts on the part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali defence and security forces, significant success has been achieved by military operations. Al-Shabaab has been notably weakened and driven from its strategic strongholds. Eighty per cent of Somalia’s territory has been won back. The security situation has improved and a fertile political environment is developing slowly but surely. We take this opportunity to highly commend the AMISOM contingents and the Somalian forces for their invaluable efforts and successful achievements. We also pay tribute to all the soldiers fallen for the cause of peace. We are also pleased to note that, on the political level, the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia have made possible significant progress, in particular in the implementation of Vision 2016. That has been demonstrated by, among other things, the implementation of three interim regional administrations, the National Independent Electoral Commission and the Boundaries and Federation Commission. In addition, on 19 October, the President of Somalia launched the work of the National Consultative Forum, which brings together all the major stakeholders to arrive at a consensus on a more inclusive and transparent electoral process that takes into account the diversity of the Somali people. We call on the entire international community to step up its efforts to complement those under way by the Federal Government of Somalia aimed at setting up the last interim regional administration between now and the end of this year, at speeding up the review of the Provisional Federal Constitution and at putting in place a new electoral process for 2016. Despite all of the undeniable progress that has been made, the security situation continues to be of concern because of the serious threat that the terrorist group Al-Shabaab poses. Through its indiscriminate and lethal attacks, that group continues to undermine the peace process, with the sole goal of rendering the country ungovernable. For that reason, the joint offensive military operations by AMISOM and the Somali security forces must continue, while leaving to door open to those willing to accept a negotiated solution. Along those lines, there is an urgent need to mobilize increased support to AMISOM and the Somali security and defence forces in order to fully drive out Al-Shabaab from Somalia. In particular, that must be done by providing AMISOM with force multipliers, which have been long-awaited. That will allow AMISOM to be more effective and better adapted to countering terrorist mobility. It is equally important to build the capacity of the Somali security forces so as to gradually prepare them take over from AMISOM in the stabilization of liberated areas. Moreover, it is fitting to note that military operations alone are not enough. They must be accompanied by a political opening and social and economic development efforts, as well as an improvement in the humanitarian situation. In that regard, it is particularly important that support from the international community be far-reaching, multifaceted and based on the premise of rebuilding the country by according priority to social and economic recovery, as well as by promoting education and youth employment. In that same spirit, we call on the international community to scale up its humanitarian assistance to people in need, especially those in areas where the terrorists have influence. We hope that resolution 2245 (2015), which we have just adopted, will contribute to significantly reinforce, through the support of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, the joint efforts of AMISOM and the Somali security forces, which from this point forward will allow them to benefit from more significant, flexible and timely logistical support. Along the same lines, while we welcome the future deployment of military personnel in Somalia announced by the Government of the United Kingdom, we hope that that deployment will provide the African Union forces with support adapted to the fields of logistics, engineering and medical assistance. In conclusion, we once again convey our pride and satisfaction in seeing ANISOM and the Somali forces, with the international community’s support, accomplish with dignity and devotion such a difficult mission to aid the Somali people to recover from a long and disastrous war. The Mission sufficiently proves that Africans can well live up to the security challenges that Africa is now facing, provided that the international community agrees to provide them the material financial and logistical support necessary. The lessons learned from that exemplary cooperation among the African Union, the United Nations and the European Union should lead to the development of such a model in the framework of other operations.

I would like to begin by thanking Mr. Philip Hammond for having convened this important meeting, which is geared to shedding light on what is happening in the Federal Republic of Somalia in all of its aspects. I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Somalia, Mr. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, for his presence at today’s meeting. We are fully aware of the situation in Somalia, and therefore would like to convey to him how much we appreciate his work in that country. Jordan also would like to express its gratitude to Mr. Nicholas Kay, Ms. Susana Malcorra and Mr. Téte António for their presence here. Jordan also sponsored today’s resolution 2245 (2015), but that was not initially mentioned. Jordan highly welcomes the considerable efforts of Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Prime Minister and parliamentarians to build a State and restore peace over the past three years. Jordan is very pleased by the achievements at the political level, which include the establishment of regional Interim Administrations, constitutional reform, the creation of the National Independent Electoral Commission, and the convening of the National Consultative Forum to explore the various modalities and formats for the elections. Jordan affirms the need for the Government of Somalia to continue to implement the action plan agreed in the context of Vision 2016 to provide for overall reconciliation, promote social cohesion and integration, and emphasize the need to involve all aspects of society in the democratic process through free, credible and transparent elections in 2016 in order to meet the expectations of the Somali people and to return lasting peace and security to the country. We encourage all stakeholders and institutions in Somalia to cooperate to implement Vision 2016. We also stress the importance of consolidating the United Nations presence in Somalia and assistance to Somalis throughout the country with a view to promoting reconciliation and the protection of human rights. We call on the international community to maintain its financial and political support to the federal Government of Somalia so that it can fulfil its functions at all levels, including the organization of elections in 2016. Jordan strongly condemns the terrorist attacks perpetrated by the Al-Shabaab movement in Somalia and neighbouring countries, which have wounded and killed many people, including innocent civilians, civil servants and others working in the missions there. We pay tribute to the important role of the African Union and its Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in neutralizing Al-Shabaab and liberating the regions still under its control. Those military operations must be continued in order to completely neutralize Al-Shabaab. In that context, Jordan believes that the international community should support the implementation of a comprehensive regional strategy to eliminate terrorism through an integrated approach that deprives terrorist organizations of an enabling environment and cuts off their sources of financing, while helping people to meet their socioeconomic challenges so that there is no longer fertile ground for the promotion of terrorism. However, military operations are not enough to restore stability and peace. It is important to promote the rule of law and reform the security sector while establishing the necessary administrative structures and strengthening national reconciliation efforts so that Somali institutions can assume responsibility for providing security and replace AMISOM in that area. Some 3 million people in Somalia still require humanitarian assistance. Increased coordination and support from United Nations agencies and the international community in the sphere of humanitarian assistance are therefore vital. We stress the need for AMISOM and the Somali national armed forces to continue to provide protection for roads and supply lines and to provide for the free circulation and delivery of humanitarian assistance to those who most need it. Finally, we urge the international community to assist the Somali economy by supporting economic recovery and stability in Somalia.

China appreciates the initiative of the United Kingdom in convening today’s meeting. We wish to thank Secretary of State Hammond for presiding over today’s meeting and welcome the presence of Prime Minister Sharmake of the Federal Republic of Somalia. China listened carefully to the briefings by Prime Minister Sharmarke of Somalia; Ms. Susanna Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General; Mr. Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General; and Ambassador Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations. Somalia is entering a period of historic opportunities for State-rebuilding. The Federal Government of Somalia, with the support of the international community, is fully implementing Vision 2016, actively promoting the federalization of the country and striving to promote social reconciliation, speed up development and improve people’s livelihood. China welcomes such efforts. Meanwhile, the security and humanitarian situation in Somalia remains fragile, and peaceful rebuilding will be a long journey. The international community should continue to support Somalia and help the Somali people emerge from the shadow of conflict as soon as possible so as to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development. I wish to emphasize the following three points. First, in order to steadily advance the peace process in Somalia, China calls upon the international community to follow the principle of Somali leadership and ownership, actively help the Federal Government of Somalia to improve its governance capability, speed up institution-building at the local level and promote social reconciliation. We hope that all parties in Somalia will proceed from their overarching interest in the future of the nation and its people, and that they will settle their differences appropriately through dialogue and consultations so as to jointly maintain the country’s peace and stability. Secondly, with a view to fully consolidating security and stability in Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army have worked closely together since the beginning of the year and achieved good results in combating terrorism. China highly appreciates the contribution of the African Union and the countries of the region to the maintenance of security and stability in Somalia, and welcomes today’s adoption of resolution 2245 (2015), establishing the United Nations Support Office in Somalia. We hope that the resolution will be fully implemented so as to provide sustained and stable logistical support to AMISOM and the Somali National Army. Thirdly, with respect to speeding up economic and social development in Somalia, only through development can the root causes of conflict be removed and people’s fundamental interests and rights safeguarded. Somalia is rich in natural resources, with great potential for development. The international community should strengthen its input into the infrastructure and agricultural sectors of Somalia in order to enhance its capacities for sustainable development. In so doing, the international community should remain in close consultation with the Federal Government of Somalia and respect its opinions. China has been a firm supporter of the peace process in Somalia. China has long supported Somalia and AMISOM within its abilities. Within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China has trained a large number of personnel to rebuild the State in Somalia. Despite the terrorist attack on the Chinese Embassy in Somalia last July, which caused huge losses in human life and property, China’s presence and ongoing activities in Somalia have remained steadfast, fully demonstrating the unswerving support of the Chinese Government for the peace process and State-rebuilding in Somalia. China is prepared to work with the international community to play a constructive role in the speedy revitalization of Somalia. China and Africa, as part of a community of common destiny and interests, have been through thick and thin together. In December, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will hold a summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, that will be the second summit of the Forum and the first to be held on the African continent. Since the inception of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, 15 years ago, through the efforts of both sides, pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa has grown by leaps and bounds and brought tangible benefits to the peoples of Africa and China. The theme of the Forum’s upcoming summit is “China and Africa Joining Hands for Win-Win Cooperation and Common Development”. China is ready to take that opportunity to work with all the countries of Africa, including Somalia, to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in such key areas as industrialization, modernization of agriculture, health care, personnel and cultural exchanges, peace and security. We are ready to join hands with Africa to make the summit a historic gathering for enhancing solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. In conclusion, I again thank the Prime Minister of Somalia for his presence and his statement. I also thank the briefers. I welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2245 (2015) and commend Mr. Nicholas Kay for his outstanding service to the United Nations.