S/PV.8259 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Somalia to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Michael Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, and Mr. Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia. Mr. Keating and Mr. Madeira are joining this meeting via video tele-conference from Mogadishu. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2018/411, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia. I now give the floor to Mr. Keating. Mr. Keating: At the outset, let me to express my best wishes to members of the Security Council and to Somalis around the world at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of peace, forgiveness and compassion. Events in the past 48 hours in Somalia serve to highlight the complexity of the situation facing its people. Today saw the conclusion in Mogadishu of the National Constitutional Convention, a milestone marked by strong commitment to an inclusive constitutional review process with clear and ambitious targets. That augurs well for strengthening the rule of law and stability and advancing reconciliation. Today happens to be the seventy-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Somali Youth League. Celebratory events around the country are highlighting the needs and ambitions of today’s young Somalis, many of whom lack education and job opportunities and, as a result, feel marginalized. In Baidoa, federal member state Presidents are meeting in the Council of Interstate Cooperation to prepare for engagement with the Federal Government on critical issues, such as security, resource and revenue sharing and relations with Gulf partners. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations joint review team are meeting Somali and international actors in Somalia. The focus of discussions has been the implications of the national security transition plan for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). In Beledweyne, humanitarian colleagues are working round the clock with local authorities and communities to address the catastrophic consequences of floods for over 200,000 people. Forces from Somaliland and Puntland have been exchanging fire in Tukaraq and the region of Sool, with an as-yet-unknown number of casualties reported. There is a serious danger that that conflict could escalate, with devastating implications for local people, as well all Somalis. There is a lot going on. To its great credit, unforeseen events are not deflecting the Federal Government from its determination to pursue an agenda embracing economic and financial reform, revenue generation, security sector reform and inclusive politics — all with a view to an irreversible and positive transformation of the country’s prospects. That agenda deserves timely and coherent support from the Council and Somalia’s international partners, while recognizing that the many risks facing the country need to be managed and mitigated. The Government has vigorously pursued the objective of putting the country on a sounder economic and financial keel. In February the International Monetary Fund welcomed progress under the staff- monitored programme and reiterated its support to help Somalia reach a heavily indebted poor country decision point as soon as possible. The High-Level Roundtable on Somalia held in Washington, D.C., on 19 April opened the path towards a pre-arrears clearance grant. That was a vote of confidence in the Government’s achievements in engaging with the private sector, improving public financial management and increasing domestic revenues. A number of partners are already providing, or now plan to increase, budget support, including the European Union, Norway, Sweden and Turkey. Additional resources are needed to address the root causes of fragility, chronic poverty and low human development affecting the majority of the population. Longer-term investment is needed to build resilience to climate shocks and break the cycle of recurrent crises that cause much suffering and undermine the State-building process. The humanitarian situation is not as bad as it was a year ago, but by any global measure it remains very grave. The gu rains and flooding have affected more than 718,000 people in the central and southern regions of Somalia. The consequences of the floods include large-scale population displacement, economic damage and diseases, including cholera. A rapid- response allocation to address flood response of up to $5.1 million has been endorsed and is pending final approval. The 2018 humanitarian response plan calls for $1.5 billion. As of today, the plan is only 24 per cent funded, and is therefore inadequate to support the flood relief operations under way. Allow me to use this occasion to appeal to international donors once again to provide generous and timely support, while thanking them for the prompt and unprecedented amount of funding that enabled the prevention of famine last year. Success in raising revenues, attracting grants and budget support provides a firm basis not only for investment and creating jobs, but also for tackling Somalia’s security and State-building challenges and strengthening relations with federal member states, not least through resource- and revenue-sharing agreements. Insecurity remains a constant concern. Despite increasing pressure on the group, including an increase in air strikes, Al-Shabaab has continued to demonstrate its ability to execute deadly terrorist attacks against civilian and military targets, including AMISOM, notably through the use of improvised explosive devices. The factors that breed terrorism, including youth unemployment, corruption, a sense of injustice and unresolved conflicts, cannot be left until later. The truly formidable challenge facing Somalia and its AU and other partners is simultaneously to fight the insurgency and reform the security sector. The President is leading defence reform. The Government is taking bold steps, including biometric registration, payroll reform and operational readiness assessments, while recognizing that much more needs to be done. The list includes  — as the Prime Minister phrased it  — turning the national security architecture into construction, agreeing the basis upon which regional forces will be integrated into the army and police, passing essential legislation, conducting asset inventories and weapons management and developing transparent procurement procedures and greater accountability. A measure of progress is that the security transition plan was adopted by Somalia’s Council of Ministers on 19 April. The plan is designed to build Somali operational and institutional capacity not only for the armed forces, but also in areas of the most basic security concern to the population, including justice, accountable local governance, freedom of movement and provision of services. The plan was endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Committee on 30 April and welcomed by all partners at the high-level security meeting held in Brussels on 2 May. The imperative now is to implement it. Critical will be ensuring national ownership and leadership of the plan through the National Security Council structures under Somali leadership. AMISOM continues to play an indispensable role, at great human cost, in protecting population centres, main supply routes and Somalia’s overall political progress. The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia will shortly address the many challenges that that entails. Suffice it to say that a successful security transition will require not just deep reform of the Somalia security forces, but also, as the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the Envoys of the Secretary-General noted, transformation of AMISOM, whether relating to more flexible joint operations and combat mentoring, greater emphasis on policing, adequate enablers and force multipliers or stronger accountability systems, whether for assets or relating to human rights. More flexible operational support by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia will also be required, together with predictable financing. The AU-United Nations joint review is likely to underscore that the foremost requirement for success is the need for unity of purpose among Somali actors, as well as among the Somalis, the African Union, troop- contributing countries and principal security partners. The comprehensive approach to security structures is designed to ensure coherent and coordinated approaches. Somali politics remain as lively as ever, punctuated by crises relating to competition for power and resources, complicated by the weakness of Somali institutions and ambiguities in the provisional Federal Constitution, particularly with regard to relations among the three branches of Government, the growing pains associated with the emergence of federal arrangements and the role of untraceable money in the political marketplace. The most prominent fault lines have related to the impact of the Gulf dispute, the role of parliamentarians in politics and relations between the leaders of the federal member states and the Federal Government. Those issues both overlap and have distinct contours. The stand-off between the Federal Government and Parliament was resolved in early April when the Speaker of the House of the People resigned. The new Speaker was elected peacefully and inaugurated this past week. That creates an opportunity to fast-forward the legislative agenda, taking advantage of a phenomenon rare in Somali politics  — unity among the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker. But, as with tensions that continue between the Federal Government and federal member states, structural deficits may again contribute to future crises. Those need to be addressed, including through the electoral law and political party law, while moving towards a constitutionally compliant forum that brings the Federal Government and federal member state leadership together, and measures to regulate motions of no confidence and impeachment procedures, as well as nothing less than a campaign to fight corruption. The role of the United Nations and international community continues to be to insist upon adherence to the rule of law, inclusive processes and zero-tolerance for the use of violence by any party in the resolution of political disputes. Sometimes that results in us being accused by one side or another of being biased, but I believe that the record will speak for itself in terms of consistent support for a gradual change in Somali political culture. Relations among powerful Somali actors are being tested as a result of the Gulf dispute, with actors taking positions that accord with their economic interests, security and political objectives. Somalia needs respectful relations with all its international partners, recognizing that it is the prerogative of the Federal Government to lead foreign policy and that member states need to be fully consulted if they are to support policies that have a direct bearing on them. The best way to minimize the impact of the Gulf dispute is through greater Somali unity. It is ordinary Somalis that will suffer the most from a failure by political leaders to resolves those issues, whether through the constitutional review or through ad interim agreements. The upcoming National Security Council session provides an opportunity to do that under the President’s leadership. Disputes that result in the reduction of aid flows and economic ties, or that increase tensions and the risk of violent conflict, only play into the hands of extremists and retard the State-building agenda that Somalia has set for itself in the coming year. With regard to the dispute in Tukaraq, the facts are still coming in, but fighting has erupted and there are reports of deaths and casualties. I associate myself fully with President Farmajo’s call a few hours ago for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of political dialogue between the leaders of Somaliland and Puntland. In the past few days, both President Bihi Abdi of Somaliland and President Gaas of Puntland have assured me that they want to avoid, and cannot afford, hostilities. The approach of Ramadan makes a ceasefire particularly important. At risk is not only the welfare of hundreds of thousands of people and the possibility of mass displacement at a time when humanitarian funds are already low, but the remarkable progress that both Somaliland and Puntland have made over the years. Conflict could unravel more than 20 years of relatively peaceful coexistence. I urge Council members to engage with all concerned to reduce tensions and discourage those who may be seeking advantage from that situation. The Tukaraq crisis could distract attention from the progress that has been made in resolving conflicts elsewhere, notably in Galkayo, which is more peaceful today than for many years, as well as in Merka in Lower Shabelle and Galmudug, where, despite the hurdles, there is forward momentum. The Government is moving forward with a national reconciliation framework, supported by the United Nations and other partners, recognizing that the many conflicts in Somalia, whether over resources, clan disputes or federal state formation, need to benefit from the engagement of civil society, women and youth groups, the business sector, traditional elders and conflict mediation experts. Unfortunately, the human rights situation remains deeply problematic, with many groups being particularly vulnerable, including women, internally displaced persons, minorities and journalists. The signing of the joint programme on human rights in February was a positive step towards strengthening protection frameworks. I urge the Federal Government to move forward the process of establishing the human rights commission. The situation of children affected by armed conflict remains dire, with a marked increase in abductions and the recruitment and the use of children. Impunity for sexual violence continues to be of great concern. I strongly urge the Federal Government to enact the sexual offences bill, which will strengthen the legal framework and reduce impunity for crimes of sexual violence. In conclusion, the people of Somalia continue to face extraordinary challenges. They are fortunate to have a Government that is serious about tackling them. Key to its success will be unity among Somali leaders, complemented by the coherent support of the Council and the broader international community.

I thank Mr. Keating for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Madeira. Mr. Madeira: I thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in Somalia. Addressing the Council remains a great honour and privilege for me. As we approach Ramadan, the advancement of peace and security in Somalia continues to be attainable today through the concerted effort of the Somali national security forces, the African Union Mission forces and the visible action by the Government of Somalia to bring into play the factors that contribute to the enhancement and consolidation of stability through a comprehensive approach to a security framework. I pay tribute to the brave sacrifices that Somali national security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have continued to make over the years with a view to building a peaceful and prosperous Somalia. Since my previous briefing to the Council (see S/PV.8165), Somalia has been confronted with many challenges, some of which, if not addressed in a timely manner, will negatively impact the current efforts of the Federal Government and reverse the progress made so far. As we speak, AMISOM soldiers are valiantly supporting and assisting the populations of Beledweyne, on the margins of the Shabelle River, who have been flooded out and have had to abandon their homes as a result. They are doing that with immense sacrifice in the middle of a shortage of means of transportation and resources to support the population. But they are receiving profound support from the President of HirShabelle. That and other challenges have become more evident lately, with a spillover effect on Somalia over international rivalries and divisions within the Gulf countries. Those external crises are quickly provoking further divisions among Somalis and forcing them to choose sides. There are warning signs that the crisis could have negative implications for the fragile relations between the Federal Government of Somalia and its federal member states. I ask the Council to make a strong and unequivocal statement to the opposing sides in the Gulf region to refrain from any actions that may further heighten tensions and affect the unity and stability of Somalia. A year ago Somalia was presented with a fresh start with the election of President Farmajo and the appointment of Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre. They offered an important opportunity for the rebuilding of Somalia’s national institutions and providing the country with what it needs to foster unity and prosperity. Recent political crises in Parliament not only heightened the absolute need to expedite the building and strengthening of Somali State institutions, but also the importance for all parties in the Somali political construct to begin to identify and embrace the common factors that unite all Somalis and do away with those divisive issues that are ongoing sources of weakness, tension and division among them. The people speak the same language. They belong to the same nation. They have the same aspirations. They profess only one religion. The best use of such attributes can effectively contribute to fortifying the unity and peace in this great country. In that context, AMISOM applauds the efforts made by the executive and the former Speaker in resolving the recent crisis, the outcome of which offers hope for a brighter future for all Somalis. As the new Speaker, Mr. Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman, indicated in his inaugural address last week, the Federal Parliament will refocus its efforts to ensure that the constitutional review is completed and pave the way for multi-party elections to move forward with the necessary legal framework by 2020 or 2021. The holding, earlier this week, of the national constitutional convention in Mogadishu is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to match its words with action. Despite challenges, there is real reason for optimism across Somalia, as the Federal Government continues to make great strides in the right direction. The executive is already delivering on improving fiscal management and strengthening the financial institutions, while placing transparency and the fight against corruption at the heart of its economic priorities. We now have a federal budget that is supported by realistic revenue measures and an effort to modernize the urgently needed tax collection and taxpayer registration. That is in addition to the ongoing consultations on tax legislation. While delivering all of this, the Government is also focusing on financial sustainability through its domestic revenue collection. In a similar vein, the Government bill for the establishment of the anti-corruption commission is taking shape, with the implementation of the open government initiative. With the Government’s recent announcement off its third International Monetary Fund staff-monitored programme and its success at this year’s spring meetings in Washington, D.C., Somalia’s pathway to debt relief is fast becoming a reality. In April, as Council members are aware, the Somalia transition plan was widely endorsed, first here in Mogadishu by the Comprehensive Approach to Security Executive Group, chaired by Prime Minister Khayre, and later by the African Union during the Peace and Security Council on Addis Ababa on 30 April. Supporting the Federal Government in implementing the transition plan remains AMISOM’s key priority. As I reminded partners during the high-level security meeting on Somalia in Brussels earlier this month, AMISOM endorsed, and is firmly committed to, the implementation of the transition plan. AMISOM is currently undergoing its fourth review pursuant to its mandate under Security resolution 2372 (2017). In the past three days, AMISOM has been clear: in order to effectively support the transition, the Mission must adjust its approach and reconfigure its components to suit the demands of the transition. We are ready to undertake such an exercise. In that regard, AMISOM uniformed personnel will require the following: additional multipliers and enablers; a mandate to conduct combat-readiness mentoring for the Somali security forces, availed to them and co-located; to undertake joint, well-coordinated operations with AMISOM; and a more flexible approach to its logistical support from the United Nations and other partners. The civilian component will require consideration of the strengthening of its capacity and presence in the field across the federal member states. As AMISOM and the Federal Government begin focusing on the stadium and the main supply routes from Mogadishu to Baidoa and the town of Leego as top priority objectives in the first phase of the transition, it is important that the international community’s efforts be directed towards addressing the gaps identified in the last operational readiness assessment of the Somali National army, the police and local forces. Efforts must seek to provide a swift response to issues of force generation at both the federal and regional levels in Somalia, in addition to satisfying key operational requirements such as communications, transport, casualty evacuation, medical evacuation, supplies and logistics, as well as IED defeat capabilities. In the coming weeks and months, AMISOM and the Somali security forces will be implementing the operational phase of the transition plan. To be effective and attain its objectives, the transition cannot continue spending resources and losing lives to recover towns and territory from Al-Shabaab only to see them returned to the enemy. The transition, as it has been conceived, must be comprehensive and effective, that is to say, it must bring on board everything that is required for the effective recovery, occupation and permanent holding on towns and cities, and the effective protection of their population. We must therefore ensure that the population centres and locations we capture from Al-Shabaab are recovered and transformed into inhabitable places where humanitarian agencies provide emergency assistance to the liberated population; administrators manage the liberated population, govern the town and provide essential services and amenities to the population; police protect the citizens and maintain law and order; conditions are created for the local economy to beginning to take shape, for trade and commerce to be possible and for citizens to be able to go about their lives freely, securely and confidently without fear of being mugged or killed by Al-Shabaab around the next corner. All that requires commitment. It requires the Government to be present and fully committed to creating institutions. It requires United Nations agencies to engage in strengthening the institutions of Government and local administrations. They must be present and fully committed in the places we are going to liberate, starting with Leego. We are ready and willing to work hand in hand with the United Nations and other institutions, as well as the Government, to realize those objectives — to ensure that once we liberate a city it transitions to Somali security forces and remains in their hands, not falling back into those of Al-Shabaab. The reality of the current threat landscape across Somalia is that Al-Shabaab has gradually increased its military capacity and resilience, resulting in widespread attacks using IEDs as the weapon of choice. To successfully and sustainably counter that threat and disrupt and destroy Al-Shabaab, I urge the Council to remain seized of the issue of predictable and sustainable funding for AMISOM and the Somali security forces, and the provision to our forces of the means and enablers required to minimize casualties, defeat IEDs and identify and neutralize the enemy. In that regard, I would like to express AMISOM’s gratitude to the United States Department of State for the provision of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance system, which is a very important force enabler. As we speak, the system and its effect are already being felt in the theatre of operations. We are grateful that partners have started to understand the full meaning of the reality in which we are living. The recent meeting in Brussels showed that partners are now ready to be generous in terms of supporting both the Somali national security forces and AMISOM in strengthening their capacity to face Al-Shabaab successfully.

I thank Mr. Madeira for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

As on previous occasions and on behalf of the delegation I represent, I would first of all like to thank Mr. Michael Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), and his team for the clear and detailed briefing on the most recent developments in the country. His briefing reflects a situation that is of concern, in particular with regard to issues of State-building, the strengthening of security institutions and economic fragility. Somalia has made very significant progress since successful parliamentary and presidential elections transferred power to the current President, Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo, nearly a year ago. He outlined a political programme that convinced his own people, as well as the international community, and encouraged international partners to continue to support the process of national reconstruction. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude and appreciation to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other international actors for their contributions to address the major challenges encountered during this important political process. In spite of international support, Somalia continues to face monumental challenges, first and foremost the mighty threat posed by the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization, which, despite financial pressures and counter-terrorism activities, including air strikes, continues to commit murders and detonate bombs throughout the country. That ongoing threat could be linked to the country’s socioeconomic ills, such as the lack of educational and work opportunities for young people, unfulfilled demands flowing from unresolved disputes, a weak national justice system and the interests of third parties. The differences between some leaders of a number of federal states and the federal authorities constitute a major obstacle to reforms seeking to promote national reconciliation and reconstruction. To that end, Somali politicians should commit to understanding each other in order to create a healthy political environment that encourages support from, and collaboration with, international actors. Nonetheless, we commend President Farmajo and other politicians on their efforts to promote national reconciliation, as demonstrated by the smooth election of the former Minister of Defence as the new Speaker of Parliament following the resignation of his predecessor, ending weeks of political crisis that could have increased the security threat. However, more must be done. We also commend the President, who, in spite of insecurity in the country, decided to visit the federal states of Puntland and Gamuldug in an attempt to address their problems. Despite all that, and according to reliable reports on the situation, Somali security and State institutions are not yet able to provide proper security and socioeconomic conditions throughout the country in the short and medium term. Therefore, the work and support of UNSOM, AMISOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia continue to be indispensable. We believe it is important to secure prior funding to enable efforts to continue.

At the outset, my delegation would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Mr. Michael Keating, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Mr. Francisco Madeira, for their briefings at today’s meeting. We begin by commending the United Nations and the African Union on their coordinated and joint efforts in Somalia to build peace, rebuild the State, strengthen the rule of law, reform the security sector and achieve other important goals. Their work reflects relevant ongoing efforts to seek stability and security in the country and the region. The continuous support and assistance provided by AMISOM, UNSOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia should reflect a high degree of transparency and information-sharing to enable the Federal Government of Somalia to continue its efforts to counter the serious threat posed by terrorist groups and with regard to constitutional structure in order to strengthen the Federal State. We believe that stabilizing Somalia should be achieved mainly by formalizing the status of the federal member states, implementing the security strategy, building resilience and promoting socioeconomic transformation. The Government of Somalia must determine its priorities according to its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We commend the President of Somalia on his recent visits to various regions of the country in order to step up and accelerate efforts at dialogue and reconciliation. At the political level, the political road map for inclusive politics for the period 2017-2020, outlined by the Council of Ministers of the Federal Government, along with the efforts of the National Security Council, has led to significant progress, which we believe will be mutually beneficial for the Federal Government and for federal states. With regard to security, we believe that it is essential that the transition plan developed by Federal Government be reflected when the security, military and police forces, as well as the judiciary and correction authorities, are fully operational. Similarly in that area, we note that it is imperative that Somali ownership develops within a relationship based on trust, consensus and inclusiveness among the Federal Government and federal states alike. In addition, UNSOM support to the National Intelligence and Security Agency is vital to improve the capacity required for demobilization, reintegration and disarmament and weapons and maritime security management. Bolivia fully supports all African Union efforts to implement mediation, preventive diplomacy and dialogue initiatives to promote a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict. We highlight the meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on 30 April, during which it committed to providing full support to Somalia in achieving its transition goals. Nonetheless, we believe that the Security Council, the United Nations and the international community as a whole must continue to work together to build the capacity of AMISOM to ensure that the Somali security forces can assume full responsibility for maintaining their country’s security in the near future. Al-Shabaab continues to pose a latent threat to Somalia. The attacks perpetrated by that terrorist group have again served to underscore the importance of identifying measures to counter it, in particular in Mogadishu, where attacks carried out with improvised explosive devices, car bombs and heavy weaponry have claimed the lives of hundreds and caused major damage. We also note with alarm the ongoing high levels of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls, particularly those who have been forcibly displaced. Finally, but no less important, is economic transformation. Bolivia believes that in order to ensure lasting, sustainable peace and to alleviate the fragility of the Somali State, there is a need to reform the security sector, and the international community must work to restructure its external debt, as in a post-conflict phase there cannot be sustainable peace without development, and there can be no development if this important issue is not resolved.

We express our gratitude for the convening of this afternoon’s meeting and our thanks for the briefings we have heard from Mr. Keating and Mr. Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira. Peru has been keeping a close eye on the situation in Somalia, where, despite the progress made in recent months, the humanitarian crisis continues to affect more than 5 million people. In addition, the security situation remains unstable, and human rights, including those of women and children, continue to be violated. We deem positive the new focus adopted to address the humanitarian situation through the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia and the recovery and resilience framework, which are aimed at breaking the cycle of vulnerability and deprivation by 2022. We highlight also the significant progress made by Somalia in the economic area, which has been acknowledged by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. We hope that the technical support provided by those institutions will make it possible to implement the economic reforms necessary to improve the living conditions of the Somali people. We condemn the attacks committed by Al-Shabaab and support the Secretary-General’s call for the Federal Government and international partners to develop a coherent approach to mitigating the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, which are often used by that terrorist group. We underline also the importance of the transition plan as a vehicle for the Somali authorities to assume full responsibility for security. Said transfer must be implemented in an orderly and gradual manner, so as to safeguard the existing achievements. We also highlight the need for the provision of the financial support required for coordinated implementation by the Federal Government and the federal states, backed by the African Union and international partners. We welcome the significant headway made in the strengthening of Somali security institutions, including the new police model adopted at the state and federal levels, the political agreement on the justice and corrections model for Somalia, as well as initiatives to curb violent extremism. We welcome also the efforts of the Federal Government to promote the peace and reconciliation process, as well as the rollout of the peace process aimed at easing tensions between clans in Marka. We hope that, now that the political crisis in the Federal Parliament is behind us and the new Speaker of the House of the People has taken up his post, Somalia will be able to undertake the institutional efforts required to sustain peace, including power-sharing, resource management, the allocation of fiscal revenues and the electoral model. We emphasize the importance of the National Security Council moving forward in the implementation of the road map to prepare for the general elections, to be exercised by universal suffrage in 2020-2021, prioritizing the constitutional review process and the establishment of an electoral legal framework. We deem it important to promote the active participation of women in national processes, particularly given that Somalia is a country marred by high levels of sexual violence. We wish to pay tribute to the victim-advocacy work carried out by the United Nations Population Fund. Likewise, we commend the initiatives aimed at empowering young Somalis, in particular the establishment of an interim national youth council and the launch of the Open Innovation Challenge, which is led by young people and aimed at finding solutions to the plight of internally displaced persons in Somalia. We also wish to welcome the strategy of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to achieve gender parity in its ranks by 2021 and the appointment of a gender adviser to the National Independent Electoral Commission. We also voice our support for UNSOM and stress our expectations regarding its proposals aimed at an appropriate reconfiguration of the components required for an effective implementation of the broad security approach of the Mission, the national security structure and the transition plan. I wish to conclude by underscoring the need for the Gulf countries to lend their support to the Federal Government of Somalia as it seeks to improve its relations with its federal member states and undertake reforms aimed at State-building.

My delegation wishes to thank Mr. Michael Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), for his presentation of the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the mandate of UNSOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) (S/2018/411). My delegation wishes also to thank Mr. Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira, Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). My statement will focus mainly on developments in the political, security and humanitarian situation in Somalia. On the political situation, my country welcomes the improved relations between the Federal Government and the federal states, which led to an agreement on financial and operational support for the regional security forces in the framework of their incorporation into the state police forces. My country welcomes also the progress made in the establishment of a functioning federal State in Somalia, including the adoption by the various parties of the political road map for the period 2017-2020, the establishment of the memorandum of understanding on the constitutional review process, the involvement of the federal authorities in the various national reconciliation initiatives, and the progress achieved in preparing for the 2020-2021 elections by universal suffrage. On this last point, my country welcomes the inclusive approach adopted by the National Independent Electoral Commission in the context of consultations aimed at overcoming possible obstacles to the holding of free, democratic and transparent elections. However, Côte d’Ivoire remains concerned at the continuing tensions in the federal Parliament and the resulting impact on the adoption of several draft laws that are essential for building the Somali State. We urge the Somali political actors to resolutely engage themselves in building a strong and prosperous Somali State. Côte d’Ivoire therefore welcomes the appointment of the new Speaker of the House of the People and hopes that this will lead to a constructive relationship between the country’s legislative and executive powers. On the security front, it is clear that despite the air strikes against the strongholds of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, the latter continues to pose a serious threat to security in Somalia, as evidenced by the attacks carried out during the first quarter of this year against Somali national army soldiers and those of AMISOM. These attacks confirm once again the need for the international community, including the Council, to support Somalia in its security-sector reform process in order to enable the effective implementation of the transition plan aimed at a handover of responsibilities from AMISOM to the country’s security forces. My country calls upon all national and international actors working in Somalia to pool their efforts in providing operational and financial support for the successful implementation of the Somali transition plan. In this regard, Côte d’Ivoire commends the support provided by UNSOM, UNSOS and the other United Nations agencies present in Somalia to the Somali security institutions in the framework of the strengthening of their operational capacities. We note with satisfaction that the Somali authorities, in spite of the difficulties encountered, continue to work towards the implementation of the national security architecture through, inter alia, the incorporation of the regional security forces into the national army. Côte d’Ivoire also welcomes the commitment of the Federal Government and the federal states to work together constructively in building a State based on the rule of law, as demonstrated by the signing of an agreement on the justice and corrections model in Somalia. It also encourages the leaders of the federal states to accelerate their justice and corrections plan. My country remains concerned about the increasingly worrisome humanitarian situation. According to the Secretary-General’s report, the level of malnutrition is among the highest in the world, as 5.4 million people require humanitarian assistance, with 2.1 million others displaced and dependent on international support. That situation is exacerbated by floods as a result of heavy rains in several parts of the country in recent weeks, leading to the destruction of crops and people’s properties and significantly reducing their means of livelihood. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to date approximately 718,000 people have been affected by the floods. Humanitarian needs continue to increase, while the humanitarian aid plan developed for 2018 is only 19 per cent funded. Given that situation, while recognizing the considerable financial and material efforts already made, my delegation encourages international partners and donors to mobilize in order to contribute to the financing of the 2018 humanitarian assistance plan and to respond urgently to the humanitarian needs of the Somalis in need. Like the Secretary-General, Côte d’Ivoire also urges the Somali authorities and its development partners to draw up an integrated strategy in order to find viable solutions to the root causes of the famine in the country. In conclusion, my delegation reiterates its thanks to UNSOM, UNSOS and all international partners working in Somalia for the multifaceted assistance that they continue to provide to the country under very difficult conditions. We call on them to further coordinate their efforts and strategy in support of Somalia.

I would like to thank Mr. Michael Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Mr. Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia. A little more than a year has passed since the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo in Somalia. The new Government was able to develop an effective plan of action, including financial sector reform, job creation, a social cohesion policy, conflict resolution and security sector reform. We commend and support the efforts and the political will of the Federal Government of Somalia and of the federal member states for strengthening ties and for promoting State-building and peacebuilding by initiating dialogue on defining a federal model. At the same time, it is important to follow up with steps to formalize agreements on the division of powers, the management of resources and the sharing of revenues. We welcome the efforts of the National Independent Electoral Commission to conduct nation-wide consultations aimed at identifying the optimal electoral model. To build on that, the electoral legal framework needs to be adopted so as to organize the 2020-2021 universal elections. We remain concerned about the continuing attacks by Al-Shabaab on the Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the causing of civilian casualties, which is exacerbated by inter-clan violence. The AMISOM troops who provide secuity on the front line play a critical role in the restoration of State authority. However, the predictable and sustainable funding of the Mission remains a challenge for its adequate operationalization. We welcome the efforts of the Federal Government and the regional Governments to continue the work on the integration of the regional armed forces into the Somali National Army and the police as an integral part of the national security architecture. It is vital that international partners continue to provide coordinated support for building the capacity of the SNA in more coherent manner. We also commend the Federal Government of Somalia for finalizing the transition plan. Realistic time frames and conditions are necessary to comply with the outlined priority tasks and benchmarks. In implementing that comprehensive agenda, the Federal Government faces a number of serious problems. In particular, the financial situation is acute. There is a need for a coordinated approach on the part of national and international actors in order to establish effective cooperation and confidence-building measures between the Federal Government and the member states. In conclusion, I would like to draw the attention of members to my visit to the Horn of Africa last week in my capacity as Chair of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009), concerning Somalia and Eritrea. A report will be presented in the near future. In the meantime, having observed it at first hand, we acknowledge the work of the United Nations country team and the European Union in promoting local peace initiatives, peacebuilding and national reconciliation.

I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

As this is the first time that my delegation addresses the Security Council during your presidency, Madam President, allow me to begin by congratulating you and your delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. I wish you every success in your leadership. Let me also take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Keating and Ambassador Madeira for their briefings. At today’s meeting of the Security Council on Somalia, I would like to share with members the fact that it is also the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding, on 15 May 1943, of the first political party in Somalia  — the Somali Youth League, which has done much to advance the Somali cause. Indeed, the youth party was singularly instrumental in achieving the independence and unity of the Somali people in 1960. In the process, it helped to create one of Africa’s first democracies. The optimism and hope created by the Somali Youth League nearly a century ago are also a major source of our current optimism for achieving peace and prosperity, thereby leading towards a resurgent Somalia. On this occasion, I would also like share the sad news of the passing away, at the age of 89 years, of Ambassador Abdulrahim Abby Farah, one of our most prominent Somali diplomats, who served as Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations. He also held several high-level positions at the Organization. I take this opportunity to also convey our thoughts and prayers to his family and the Somali people around the world. We believe that supporting and safeguarding our hard-earned political stability is a prerequisite for the long road ahead in terms of security, economic development and recovery. In the current report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/411) we are concerned about the inclusion of some inaccurate statements on the political situation, which could jeopardize the legitimacy of the Government, as well as our national reconstruction efforts. While the report covers most developments that have occurred in the period under review, we suggest that there is a room to more adequately address the political progress and developments on the ground. However, we are happy to note that the tensions within Parliament mentioned in current report have been resolved. That is clear testimony to the resilience of the Somali people and their capacity to absorb political shocks and to engage in peaceful, lasting and democratic solutions while respecting parliamentary rules of procedures, as well as our Constitution. A little more than a year ago, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo joined our international partners at the London Somalia Conference and made a steadfast commitment to accelerating progress on security sector reform and to setting security as a priority for his Administration. Since the previous meeting of the Council (see S/PV.8215), tangible progress on that commitment has been made. Somalia has developed a realistic, phased and conditions-based transition plan, working closely and collaboratively with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs), the United Nations and the European Union, as well as other key partners. That process was inclusive and comprehensive and included field consultations to incorporate the perspective of local stakeholders, including federal member states. The transition plan was endorsed by the Somali Cabinet and by the African Union Peace and Security Council. It sets out the strategic guidelines that will enable detailed planning over the next few years. It places a particular focus on the institutional capacity- building of our forces, while at the same time outlining the necessary security operations and supporting stabilization efforts. As we prepare for the transition plan, I take this opportunity to thank the TCCs and PCCs that have contributed their forces for their honorable and courageous sacrifices. The support provided by the United Nations to AMISOM should also be acknowledged and must be continued in order to continue the momentum. My Government welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Lisa Filipetto of Australia as Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia. The gains made by AMISOM and our national armed forces against Al-Shabaab over the past year are astonishing. Nonetheless, we recognize that Al-Shabaab will not be defeated by military means alone. The stabilization efforts undertaken with the support of our international partners are just as critical in helping us to adddress the roort causes of fragility and conflict in our communities. It is our firm belief that our credibility and legitimacy as a Government hinge on our ability to promote social reconciliation and good governance and provide public services to help improve the lives of our citizens. We know that the Somali National Army (SNA) faces challenges, but we believe that the only way to implement the transition is to commit the SNA to undertake joint operations with AMISOM and the support of international partners. That would help acquire the requisite experience, self- confidence and capacity to undertake major operations and eventually assume the responsibility for the security of the whole country. President Farmajo and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire are sparing no effort to reconcile the people of Somalia and provide a national vision that will further enhance national unity and reconciliation. The transition plan will therefore become the centrepiece of security sector reform in Somalia, as it is rooted in our national security architecture, which is closely interlinked with the President’s two other priorities, namely, inclusive politics and economic reforms. Following the World Bank and International Monetary Fund spring meetings in Washington, D.C., this year, we, the Federal Government of Somalia, are now closer than ever in our efforts to normalize our relations with international financial institutions and on a pathway to eventual debt relief. Meanwhile, on the political front, the Federal Government of Somalia, together with the federal member states, continues to work to implement an ambitious political road map that includes the revision of the provisional Constitution and the preparation for the next elections, in 2020, which will require the renewed focus of Parliament in the swift passage of key legislation that is currently pending approval. We believe that the peaceful election of a new Speaker in Parliament will enable this process and advance the legislative agenda. I would now like to turn to the statement made by President Farmajo on the unfortunate flare-up of hostilities in Tukaraq and El Afweyn, in the Sool region of the Somali Republic. In that connection, the President appealed to all the parties concerned to stop all hostilities immediately. President Farmajo urged leaders, elders and civil society to negotiate for peace and an agreeable coexistence and to resolve their differences through dialogue and respect for the sanctity of life. He also expressed his deep regret over the loss of Somali lives in this recent conflict, sent his heartfelt condolences to the families affected and prayed for the quick recovery of the wounded. In conclusion, Somalia’s challenges remain significant, including our vulnerability to extreme weather, the long-term demands of State-building and tackling active and vicious terrorist groups. All of that requires long-term work in order to address the structural, political and legacy issues of corruption, including the lack of oversight and accountability in the status quo, and building and resourcing legitimate institutions. But we are on the right path. The continued support of the Council will enable us to continue to make progress and to shift the perception of Somalia from decline to growth and from weakness to resilience.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to continue or discussion on the subject.