S/PV.9125 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. James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia; Ms. Fiona Lortan, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Acting Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia; and Her Excellency Ms. Annette Weber, Special Representative of the European Union for the Horn of Africa. 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/2022/665, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Somalia. I now give the floor to Mr. Swan. Mr. Swan: I am grateful for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in Somalia. With the conclusion of its contentious electoral process in May, the political climate in Somalia is now more conducive to addressing key national priorities. To capitalize on that opportunity, federal and state authorities must collaborate closely to achieve progress on the new Government’s goals, including by improving governance and justice, effectively countering Al-Shabaab and responding urgently to the worsening humanitarian crisis. The United Nations is committed to supporting Somalis in achieving their national priorities. I last briefed the Council (see S/PV.9040) just after the 15 May election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new President of Somalia. Since then, in June, the Parliament unanimously endorsed his nominee for Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, and in August confirmed his Cabinet. The new Government has moved swiftly to present a four-year work programme, laying out goals and activities across six pillars: security, justice, reconciliation, economic development, social development and foreign relations. In parallel, the Parliament completed the process of forming its committees, during which the Joint Oversight Committee was charged with steering the constitutional review process through Parliament. The United Nations and other international partners are supporting the Parliament to advance key legislative priorities. Unfortunately, women remain underrepresented in Cabinet positions and parliamentary committees. Only 13 per cent of Cabinet members and 21 per cent of parliamentary committee members are women. I call again for Somali leaders to take further measures to ensure women’s meaningful participation across institutions of Government, as well as the inclusion of youth and historically marginalized groups. President Mohamud has repeatedly highlighted the importance of improving relations between the central Government and the federal member states to advance national priorities. Among his first commendable actions in office was to meet with federal member state leaders in the National Consultative Council and then visit several state capitals. I urge that that outreach to the federal member states continue and that the National Consultative Council meet again very soon. The United Nations is working with the Government in support of that important meeting. Since taking office, President Mohamud has also made multiple foreign visits to neighbouring countries and other important bilateral partners. I welcome his initiative to ensure close ties with all, even those countries with which relations were previously strained. I urge that that continue, particularly with regional neighbours. The new Somali Administration has identified security as its top national priority. That comes at a time when Al-Shabaab has demonstrated increased boldness. Its recent activities include targeted assassinations, complex attacks such as that on the Hayat Hotel in August, and large-scale military actions along the border with Ethiopia. I condemn those repeated terrorist attacks, extend my deep condolences to the families of those killed by Al-Shabaab and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. I commend the courage and tenacity of Somali security forces and the forces of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), who at great cost in lives continue to fight to defend the population against Al-Shabaab. Somalia’s efforts towards force generation, integration and coordination are necessary both to achieve military gains and to address citizens’ protection concerns. Effective Somali forces are key to the planned transition from ATMIS. I reiterate the need for the federal Government and the federal member states to collaborate closely to counter Al-Shabaab, guided by Somalia’s regional and international human rights commitments. The implementation of the security transition tasks mandated by resolution 2628 (2022) is advancing, including the request for the federal Government of Somalia, the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations to identify relevant, clear and realistic benchmarks for progress. The United Nations Support Office in Somalia continues to provide mandated logistical support to ATMIS and, using trust fund contributions, to authorized Somali security forces. I remain deeply concerned about the shortfall in funding available for ATMIS salary stipends and for the trust fund of the Somali security forces and urge additional donor contributions as a matter of urgency. Somalia is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, with some 7.8 million Somalis — nearly half of the country’s estimated population — impacted by the worst drought in at least four decades, exacerbated by climate factors. The four consecutive failed rainy seasons have put areas of the country at risk of famine. Thanks to generous donor support, humanitarian organizations have since January quadrupled the number of those reached with assistance to 5.3 million people. But with ever-escalating needs and a fifth failed rainy season projected, a further scale-up of humanitarian assistance is critical. I call on all parties in Somalia to facilitate humanitarian access. I also call on all of Somalia’s friends to increase urgently the needed funding. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has especially contributed to the vulnerability of displaced women and children, who historically have faced discrimination and exclusion from services. I urge the Somali authorities to increase prevention measures for the risk of sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, including by strengthening security at water points and food distribution sites. Turning to the longer-term development agenda, Somalia has taken significant steps in the debt- relief process. In June, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund approved pending reviews, leading to the release of $350 million in much- needed development funding. Similarly, other donors have resumed pending budgetary support to ease the financial pressures and sustain the required reform efforts to complete the debt-relief process. Before I conclude, let me reiterate the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting the Government and the people of Somalia in achieving their national goals. In that context, the strategic review of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia is well-advanced. The review team visited Somalia in August and held extensive consultations with Government officials and other stakeholders, ensuring that Somali views will inform the review’s forthcoming report and recommendations to the Council.

I thank Mr. Swan for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Lortan. Ms. Lortan: I am grateful for this opportunity to address the Security Council on the situation in Somalia. The African Union partnership with the United Nations remains vital to delivering our collective support to Somalia. At the most recent Council briefing by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in May (see S/PV.9040), the Mission reported that, with the conclusion of the election cycle, Somalia was entering a period of optimism and opportunity. And thanks to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership, the political process has continued to register progress. The President adopted a political programme centred on the promotion of reconciliation, under the theme “Somalia at peace with itself and with the world”. That has seen important outreach visits to federal member states, notably South-West, Galmudug and, recently, Puntland, in an attempt to foster national integration and peaceful coexistence in the context of the President’s peace caravan launched in May. That peace caravan paved the way in June for the first National Consultative Council meeting, held under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership. The two-day meeting concluded with the Federal Government and the federal member states agreeing on key national priorities. Those priorities now form the basis of the Federal Government’s ambitious programme of work, which was presented to the federal Parliament in August by Somalia’s new Prime Minister, Hamse Abdi Barre. Prime Minister Barre’s nomination and unanimous approval by the federal Parliament in June represents a welcome and timely consensual approach to political relations between the Federal Government and the federal member states. That was followed by the appointment and endorsement of Somalia’s Council of Ministers, which saw both the President and the Prime Minister embark on wide-ranging consultations with opposition figures, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, women’s groups and members of the business community. The outcome is that Somalia now has a Council of Ministers that is both selected on merit and represents inclusivity and diversity. Recognizing Somalia’s strategic position and its desire to both foster reconciliation at home and strengthen its external relations within the first 100 days of assuming office, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud undertook a series of official visits to the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, the East African Community summit in Arusha, Egypt and, lastly, Uganda. Those visits signal Somalia’s determination to define itself beyond security and to seek support for its security transition, in particular by requesting assistance for the development of its security forces. Turning to the security situation, insecurity across Somalia remains a serious concern for ATMIS. Since our most recent briefing, we have observed an uptick in Al-Shabaab attacks as it launches asymmetric attacks that include various forms of improvised- explosive-device (IED) attacks, complex attacks, infiltration attacks, probing attacks, grenade and mortar attacks, ambushes, attacks targeting key Government installations and targeted assassinations of senior Government officials, security forces and civilians. The noticeable increase in both the frequency and lethality of the group’s deadly operations across Somalia and, more recently, across its borders is a matter of grave concern to ATMIS. In the ATMIS area of responsibility, in August, Al-Shabaab launched a series of attacks, including complex attacks on the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu. The attack and the prolonged 30-hour siege employed a combination of person- and vehicle-borne IED attacks and small arms, killing more than 20 people and injuring more than 117. Beyond Somalia, Al-Shabaab carried out cross- border operations in Kenya and Ethiopia in May and July. On 20 July, the group attacked the Ethiopian Liyu police stationed in the towns of Yeed and Ato, in the Bakool region of Somalia. The incident killed a reported 17 police officers. After the attacks, reports suggested that Al-Shabaab deployed a large number of its fighters along with vehicles into the Afder zone of Somali Regional state in Ethiopia. While Al-Shabaab’s basic tactics and techniques have largely remained unchanged, we are concerned about the emerging threat, as well as the group’s ability to launch simultaneous attacks in different parts of the country. Indications are that Al-Shabaab has replenished its fighting force to an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 fighters. The group has also acquired new capabilities, such as commercial drones used in surveillance of ATMIS, and Somali National Army forward operating bases (FOBs). It continues to enhance its ability through the rapid mobilization of its fighters. That is in addition to generating millions of dollars on a monthly basis from extortion of the Somali economy and using a reported 25 per cent of its revenue for military purposes. Let me take this opportunity to update the Council on the implementation by ATMIS of key aspects of both the African Union’s Peace and Security Council resolution 1068 and United Nations Security Council resolution 2628 (2022), particularly as they relate to phase one of the ATMIS concept of operations (CONOPS). In that context, ATMIS continues to conduct joint targeted operations across its mandated sectors to degrade Al-Shabaab. We also continue to support Somali national armed force operations, including with air assets; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; ground support and indirect fire; and casualty and medical evacuations, with the most recent operations taking place in Lower and Middle Shabelle, which ended on 25 August and led to significant gains in Galguduud in July and in the Hiraan region in August. I would now like to pay tribute to the leadership and the courage of the Somali national armed forces in recovering significant tracts of territory in the Hiraan region. The Hiraan operations are part of a series of military offensive campaigns led by the Somali National Army. The objective is to disrupt and end Al-Shabaab’s freedom of movement in Middle Shabelle. Significantly, those operations have taken place in the context of spontaneous uprising by local communities and with the close support of local groups, who have a renewed determination to end Al-Shabaab’s terror over their lives. While that is encouraging, the response of Al-Shabaab to the determined actions of local communities has been a scorched-earth policy, in which — as they have retreated — they have destroyed wells, communication towers and emergency food trucks, at a time of extreme hardship for those communities as a result of the ongoing drought. It is critical that the international community provide the desperately needed emergency and longer- term stabilization support to those newly liberated territories. Operational support by ATMIS has been provided to the Somali police force through joint and motorized patrols in Mogadishu, Baidoa and Kismaayo. At the strategic level, the ATMIS police component has continued to advise the Somali police force in Mogadishu and the federal member states on the operational planning execution. To better support our uniformed personnel and the Somali national armed forces, we have made progress in the development and implementation of the logistical support plan. In that regard, joint operation centres were operationalized last week and have been established at the ATMIS headquarters, as well as in the sectors, in order to enhance command-and-control and coordination between ATMIS and Somali security forces. Plans are ongoing to develop and establish joint operations logistics bases at the sector level. A draft statement of unit requirements has been reviewed by the military Strategic Support Group, which met in Addis Ababa from late June to early July. The equipment review to determine what obsolete equipment needs to be removed and replaced in the theatre of operations will commence next week. ATMIS and the Federal Government have also established a joint technical committee to work on the details of the transition. The committee is currently focused on phase one activities. In addition, the Federal Government, ATMIS, the European Union and the United Nations, as well as other core security partners, are meeting today and tomorrow to complete the mandated benchmarking exercise, which will include parameters to measure the effectiveness of the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan by ATMIS, the Federal Government of Somalia and key partners. Much progress has been achieved in that exercise, and the benchmark will be submitted to the Council by the end of this month, as required by resolution 2628 (2022). Despite much of the ongoing effort under phase one, more work is admittedly required, particularly to reach agreement on the handing over and collapsing of forward operating bases to the Somali security forces. To date, only two FOBs, namely, Ceel Baraf and Gololey, have been collapsed. To address that delay, more emphasis needs to be given to issues such as ATMIS force protection, the creation of mobile forces and the drawdown of 2,000 troops by December. That would require that at least 20 FOBs be handed over to the Somali security forces by December. The upcoming drawdown will ultimately depend on the Federal Government’s ability to generate forces to fill the gaps that have been left by the reduction of ATMIS force. If not, we run the risk of creating a security vacuum and reversing the gains achieved over the years, which have been achieved at huge cost in terms of lives and money. A key requirement for the effectiveness of ATMIS throughout the CONOPS phases through December 2024 is the availability of sustainable, predictable and adequate levels of funding. However, despite the request of the African Union Peace and Security Council communiqué 1075 of this year, there has been a reluctance to consider a special United Nations meeting on financing for ATMIS and the Somali security forces. I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the Council and to all partners, traditional and new, to urgently ensure sustainable, predictable and adequate funding for ATMIS for the duration of its mandate. Currently, the Mission is experiencing a significant funding shortfall of between $40 and $50 million. Those funds are needed to cover stipends for military and police components and salaries for the civilian and military staff officers and individual police officers, as well as to undertake critical programmes and projects in support of the mandate. Finally, Somalia is facing one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in its history, following the failure of a fourth consecutive rainy season. Only two days ago we received the news that many of us had feared — that famine is now knocking at the door in Somalia. This year’s drought has devastated the livelihoods of the affected populations, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized people, across many parts of Somalia. We have, unfortunately, witnessed an increase in malnutrition and disease outbreaks, with more people facing difficulties to access safe water, proper sanitation and food. In response to this crisis, ATMIS is working with the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa to provide immediate humanitarian relief to the affected people. Given the severity of the drought, we are also preparing the ground in Mogadishu for a fact-finding mission in the coming weeks by the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee on Humanitarian Issues. In the meantime, ATMIS continues to coordinate, liaise and share information with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and humanitarian actors through effective civil-military coordination as part of support in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to drought-affected areas.

I thank Ms. Lortan for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Weber. Ms. Weber: Let me extend our best wishes to France in presiding over the Security Council this month. I thank you, Mr. President, for inviting the European Union (EU) to brief the Security Council on Somalia. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the terrible attack on the Hayat Hotel and to pay tribute to the brave security forces who risk their lives daily to protect the people of Somalia. We are at this meeting to discuss a security situation that threatens all of us — in Somalia, the region and beyond. We must stand united to face this threat together. Al-Shabaab has grown to become the richest and strongest global franchise of Al-Qaida, threatening peace and security as well as humanitarian efforts, in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. The incursion into Ethiopia at the end of July was the most significant since the organization’s inception, followed by a deadly complex attack in Mogadishu three weeks later. Renewed threats have been issued against Kenya, where the organization also has a significant presence and is destroying the lives of the Kenyan people in the north-east. The organization continues to control large areas in Somalia. Its extortion and taxation go even further, resulting in an alarming operational and financial capacity. The response to fight Al-Shabaab has to be substantial. We all owe deep gratitude to the brave Somalis who have engaged in the fight against Al-Shabaab. After 30 years of conflict, Somali children and youth know nothing else. I want to pay tribute also to the troop-contributing countries of the African Union Mission in Somalia, now the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and especially to their brave men and women, who have served and continue to serve the Somali people. Many have paid the ultimate price. This sacrifice has to be acknowledged. We have all invested heavily in bringing security to Somalia. The troop-contributing countries under ATMIS have deployed thousands of troops. Key partners, including the EU, have trained Somali troops and police forces. The EU has supported the African Union-led Mission for 15 years, investing over €2.5 billion. We also have three peace and security Missions deployed to Somalia and have supported the Somali National Army and Somali police with €77 million under various instruments. Ensuring security in Somalia has become a “must not fail” for all of us. In all honesty, we have to ask ourselves, if over a decade of significant investment in peacekeeping missions and the increased capacity of the Somali National Army has resulted in a rolling back of security gains against Al-Shabaab, what has gone wrong? We are now five months into the ATMIS mandate. Owing to the delayed transfer of power and the establishment of the new Cabinet, progress has been limited. Resolution 2628 (2022) signals change. The EU is committed to supporting the continued efforts and security presence of ATMIS. To that end, we have committed €140 million for 2022. There is, however, no support for more of the same. Resolution 2628 (2022) places the Somalis in the lead for this transition, security and the fight against Al-Shabaab. Somali leadership is essential, and I welcome the new Government’s commitment to fight Al-Shabaab militarily, financially and ideologically. I urge the Somali Government to provide clarity on the Somalia Transition Plan and the national security architecture. As ATMIS draws down, Somali troops have to take over. That does not necessarily mean generating more troops, but it requires a clear overview of the troops available — at the federal level and in the federal member states  — as well as the force organization needed to assume responsibilities from ATMIS and a clear vision for the Somali Armed Forces. The only exit strategy for ATMIS is to support the Somali security sector. We have to acknowledge that the root causes of instability in Somalia remain unresolved. The relationship between the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states continues to be fragile. Core issues such as security, power sharing and resource sharing have not yet been addressed. Time has been lost through political infighting. We must now make progress on building institutions; national, regional and local authorities; ensuring service delivery; and building the social contract between citizens and the State. Security and justice must be ensured for the people of Somalia. I encourage the Somali leadership to come together, deliver on the finalization of the constitution and institutionalize a dispute resolution mechanism through either a constitutional court or the Supreme Court. The international community has provided ample support to that process for over a decade, and we cannot continue to act as referee for domestic disputes. It is time to start building institutions and move away from ad hoc decision-making processes. That is why I urge the Somali leadership to finalize what is essentially a Somali process and a national responsibility. Until that has been done, delivery to the Somali people will remain incomplete. Thousands of lives have already been lost and more remain at risk. The worst drought in four decades is ravaging Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. More than 7 million people — over half the population — are food insecure. Over 200,000 people are at immediate risk of starvation. This is not the first drought the Somali people have had to endure, and neither will it be the last. Somalia bears some of the worst consequences of climate change and is hit hard by recurrent droughts and flooding. In May, I had the opportunity to visit Mogadishu and meet the new President, His Excellency Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. In his words, “Somalia must face the brutal truth in that pastoralism, the lifestyle of more than 90 per cent of the population, might no longer be sustainable given the changing climate in the region”. In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, the EU pledged €633 million for the region. That includes €20 million for our humanitarian reserves for Somalia, which brings the EU’s humanitarian aid on drought response to €80 million since December last year. Furthermore, we have set up an EU humanitarian air bridge in Somalia, which is delivering emergency supplies to hard-to-reach areas. A total of 50 to 70 flights will take place, and over 100 metric tons of life-saving medical and nutritional supplies have already been airlifted. The European Union remains committed to a holistic approach in Somalia, and delivering on its promises remains a high priority. The formation of a new Government presents an opportunity for re-engagement, refocus and the alignment of priorities. The authorities need strong encouragement by a more unified international community to move forward on core issues linked to the fight against Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab is a multilayered threat and can be successfully engaged only through a comprehensive approach. The Somalis need to be at the head of the table. The complexities of fighting one of the most effective terrorist organizations deserve our collective attention. Now is the time to stand together with our Somali partners, troop-contributing countries, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the United Nations and all other entities that contribute to tackling that challenge together. Strong cooperation and warm relationships are crucial to the Horn of Africa at this time. The European Union is committed to peace and stability in Somalia, and we look forward to a new chapter of renewed cooperation.

I thank Ms. Weber for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): I would like to start by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Swan and our African Union and European Union briefers for their briefings today. I congratulate Somalia on the successful completion of its electoral process and on the peaceful transition of power to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The United Kingdom stands ready to support President Mahmud’s Government to deliver its ambitious agenda and realize his vision of a Somalia at peace with itself and the world. I will focus my remarks today on three subjects — the humanitarian situation, security and reconciliation. First, urgent action is needed to meet Somalia’s acute humanitarian needs. As Under-Secretary-General Griffiths has warned, after four consecutive failed rains, Somalia faces famine on a scale that is greater than we last saw a decade ago. The window to prevent it is rapidly closing. We recognize the efforts of Somalia’s Special Envoy for Drought Response and of the system- wide scale-up, but the response must be sustained and prioritized. On its part, this financial year, the United Kingdom has contributed $180 million to respond to drought in the Horn of Africa. We call on all partners to do what they can to step up their humanitarian support to prevent famine. Secondly, the United Kingdom welcomes the high priority that the new Somali Government has placed on security and on the fight against Al-Shabaab. We join others in extending our condolences to those who suffered and to the families of those who were killed in the Hayat Hotel attack. We are also proud to provide funding to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Somalia trust fund. We encourage other Member States to join us in that endeavour so that Somali forces can develop the capacity and capabilities they need to end the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. However, military effort on its own will not be enough. The upcoming renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and the sanctions regime under resolution 751 (1992) will be an opportunity for the Council to set out how those tools can work most effectively alongside ATMIS to support Somalia and defeat Al-Shabaab. Finally, we urge Somalia’s political leaders to work together to agree on and implement national priorities and solve shared problems. Working together, and with support from their partners, we are confident that Somalia can defeat Al-Shabaab and advance peace, stability and prosperity for the benefit of all Somalis and the region.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Swan for his briefing. I also thank Deputy Special Representative Lortan for her update on the work of the African Union, and we look forward to engaging with the new Special Representative very soon. I thank Special Representative Weber for her briefing. As she has made very clear, the European Union remains a steadfast partner of Somalia. Her upcoming visit to the region with High Representative Borrell Fontelles could not be timelier. I am also pleased to see the Permanent Representative of Somalia here with us today. We warmly welcome Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman. First, Ireland congratulates Somalia and its people on the successful completion of elections and, in particular, the recent appointment of the Prime Minister and establishment of the Cabinet. Now is the time to get back to the core business of Government. There is an urgent need to address the challenges of State-building, humanitarian needs, economic development and tackling Al-Shabaab. Addressing those issues will require an inclusive, all-of-society, consensus-based approach. As we just heard from Mr. Swan, a strong working relationship between the Federal Government of Somalia and the federal member states will be vital. A return to the animosity of the past will help no one. In addition, Somalia, like all countries, needs to harness the potential of its whole population. That means that Somalia needs to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women throughout society. In most countries, including my own, much more needs to be done to support the meaningful participation of women in decision-making positions. Nevertheless, the number of women appointed to the new Somali Cabinet falls short of Somalia’s own commitments. I urge the incoming Administration to build on its electoral promises and ensure the meaningful participation of women throughout the new Administration, including at senior levels. Secondly, the new Government faces a dire humanitarian emergency that is rapidly unfolding across the country. We have seen the reports of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of alarming levels of widespread hunger. Millions of people are being displaced and even more face the horror of famine-like conditions. We, in the international community, have a duty to provide the urgent surge in humanitarian aid that is needed now to avoid a catastrophe. We have no time to lose. Drought, the impact of climate change, conflict with Al-Shabaab and difficulty accessing food drive the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, food costs and inflation are spiralling due to the knock-on effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The international community must do everything it can to support the Somali people at this time. It can count on our support. However, the response must be led by the Somali Government. It must live up to its commitments and deliver for the Somali people. Finally, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured in the recent Al-Shabaab attacks. That includes the attack at the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu and on a civilian convoy in Hiraan, which was reportedly carrying much-needed aid. Those attacks are a stark reminder of the threat posed by terrorism in Somalia. Ireland condemns those senseless attacks in the strongest possible terms. Ireland urges the Government of Somalia to intensify its multifaceted approach to addressing the threat of Al-Shabaab. African Union peacekeepers and the Somali security forces play a crucial role in combating the extremists. We commend their bravery and sacrifices. However, military action alone will not be enough. Ultimately, good governance, justice, the protection of human rights, as well as economic development, will be the weapons that defeat Al-Shabaab once and for all. We have made a number of asks of the Somali Government today. I urge the new Administration to grasp this opportunity to deliver for its people. There is no time to waste. Ireland, together with the European Union, will continue to support Somalia’s efforts to face those challenges, become a peaceful and stable country and take progressive ownership over its own national security.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General James Swan and Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Fiona Lortan for their briefings on the most recent developments in Somalia. I also thank Special Representative of the European Union for the Horn of Africa Annette Weber for her insights. I welcome the Permanent Representative of Somalia to today’s meeting. Following the successful conclusion of the elections in Somalia in May, the new Government of Somalia has taken concrete shape with the appointment of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The number of women in the Cabinet has also increased. Engagement with the federal member states has intensified, as highlighted by Special Representative Swan. We welcome those positive developments. We also take note of the positive developments in relation to women’s empowerment, as stated in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2022/665), including the establishment of six women’s peace networks across the federal member states. However, the security situation in Somalia remains precarious and worrisome. The acts of terror perpetrated by Al-Shabaab continue in greater numbers and increasing force, with improvised explosive device (IED) attacks becoming commonplace. The deadly attacks on the Hayat Hotel on 19 August and in Somalia’s central region on 3 September are yet another grim reminder of terrorism’s existential threat to Somalia. Al-Shabaab’s incursions into Ethiopia and the clashes on the Somali-Ethiopian border in the Bakool region on 20 July attest to Al-Shabaab’s expanding scale of operations. India unequivocally condemns the terror attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab. Against that volatile security backdrop, the phased handover of security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the Somali security forces will be critical and needs to be calibrated to avoid security gaps. It is imperative that the ongoing debate on addressing food security also focus on the severe drought in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Addressing that dimension of food security in the appropriate forums is crucial, given its far-reaching detrimental consequences for over 1 million people who have been displaced in Somalia, with an estimated 45 per cent of the population facing acute food insecurity. Only 67 per cent of the $1.5 billion 2022 humanitarian response plan has been funded. Amid the drought and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, we call on the international community to stand by Somalia in its hour of need. A stable security transition in Somalia demands firm leadership and collaboration between the Somali Government and the African Union. The consistent support of international partners in line with Somalia’s needs and expectations will be crucial at this stage. We welcome the recent initiatives taken by the Government of Somalia to implement the Somalia Transition Plan. We also welcome the work being done by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia and the United Nations Mine Action Service to assist the ATMIS transition, particularly with the Somali army and police on counter-IED operations. We also noted the inaugural meeting of the Somali navy and coastguard working group, with the aim of enabling a coordinated approach in developing Somalia’s maritime sector. In conclusion, India will continue to support Somalia and its people to realize their collective aspirations for a stable, secure and peaceful future.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Gabon, Ghana and Kenya (A3). We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr. James Swan, and the Special Representative of the European Union for the Horn of Africa, Ms. Annette Weber. We also welcome the appointment of Ambassador Mohamed El-Amin Saif of Comoros as the head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), ably represented at this meeting by Ms. Fiona Lortan, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Acting Head of Mission. We also welcome the participation in this meeting of our brother the Permanent Representative of Somalia. The A3 welcomes the encouraging political developments in Somalia, especially the efforts of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to foster national unity and reconciliation by addressing existing differences between the Federal Government and the federal member states. We particularly welcome the convening of the first meeting of the National Consultative Council in June and the consensus reached on implementing the federal system; on preserving the constitutional development process and completing the provisional Constitution within an agreed time frame; finalizing a national independent judiciary system; and completing the national security architecture, which is critical for force development and generation, as well as for sustaining the fight against terrorism. We encourage future meetings of the National Consultative Council to be sustained as a regular feature of governance to address lingering differences, as such an approach offers an opportunity to develop sound foundations for sustainable peace in Somalia. On the security situation, we remain concerned about the ability of Al-Shabaab to sustain its operations, including carrying out complex terror attacks within and beyond Somalia. We strongly condemn the recent spate of attacks by the group targeting key installations in Mogadishu, security personnel and civilians, as well as its incursions into the Somali region of Ethiopia. The A3 conveys its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the Governments of the region, and wish those injured a speedy recovery. Those attacks illustrate how the Al-Qaida- affiliated group is determined to destabilize the region by exporting its brand of extremist ideology. The persistent terrorist attacks have also demonstrated the need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against the threat. We therefore reiterate our call on Somalia’s international partners and stakeholders to support the efforts of the Federal Government in safeguarding the security of the country and countering Al-Shabaab’s networks and capabilities. We underscore the role of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, particularly its mandate in the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan. In that regard, we welcome the installation of a new police station at Jawhar airport to strengthen security. The A3 emphasizes the need for sustained, adequate and predictable funding by the international community to enable ATMIS to effectively deliver on its mandate. Similarly, we call on Somalia’s partners to support the Federal Government of Somalia in generating the required forces to take over responsibility for the country’s security and to ensure the gains achieved thus far are not reversed. The A3 expresses its full solidarity with the Federal Government and the people of Somalia in the fight against terrorism and reaffirms its commitment to supporting their efforts to eradicate extremism and bring peace and stability to the country. Regarding the humanitarian situation, the A3 is concerned about the worsening crisis in Somalia, which, regrettably, is not matched by timely and adequate funding. Furthermore, the vagaries of climate change continue to plague and negatively affect millions of people in the Horn of Africa. Drought in Somalia has reached an unprecedented level this year, with devastating impacts on civilians who are already facing acute food insecurity. We appeal to the humanitarian community to scale up its relief efforts and urgently address the funding gap in the humanitarian response plan for Somalia. We welcome the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to working with international humanitarian organizations and encourage improved coordination efforts by the Special Envoy for Drought Response appointed by President Mohamud. In conclusion, the A3 urges Somalia’s political leaders to focus on advancing the commonly agreed national priorities in line with the Somalia Transition Plan so as to make progress in stabilizing Somalia and rebuilding strong federal state structures and processes. For its part, the wider international community should support such efforts through accelerated debt relief, as well as the injection of new funds to revamp the economy and remove the existing drivers of instability that have been exploited by Al-Shabaab to spread radicalism and undermine State legitimacy. The A3 will continue to stand with the people of Somalia in their struggle for peace and security and national development.

I thank the briefers for their insights. Let me first express Norway’s sympathies to those bereaved and those harmed in recent attacks by Al-Shabaab, including at the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, where two Norwegian-Somali nationals were among the casualties. Political stability and unity are the keys to progress towards economic recovery, development, security sector reform and countering Al-Shabaab. Therefore, we support President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s ambitions to improve relations between the Federal Government and the federal member states, as well as to prioritize constitutional reform and national reconciliation. Completing the national security architecture is of the utmost priority, and relevant, clear and realistic benchmarks for the Somalia Transition Plan and the African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia must be supported by close cooperation among all levels of Government, as well as through consensus in the National Security Council and the National Consultative Council. The AU Transition Mission in Somalia, together with the Somali security forces, have the potential to achieve a more effective response to Al-Shabaab with a strong emphasis on protecting civilians, including children. The three pillars of the Somalia Transition Plan are mutually reinforcing, but progress on stabilization efforts under the third pillar is particularly needed, and, in order for it to be successful, its implementation must be coordinated by the authorities at the federal, state and district levels and aligned with the realities on the ground, with justice and security delivered by accountable local authorities. The provision of essential services, including water, basic health care, education and justice, is also crucial and must be rights-based. That builds local resilience, prevents the recruitment of children, strengthens the Government’s legitimacy and counteracts violent extremist ideology, including in newly liberated areas. Efforts towards countering Al-Shabaab must rest on a broader political and development strategy. We therefore advocate for a reinvigorated policy- level dialogue on stabilization and reconciliation, including the full implementation of the national reconciliation framework. We welcome the attention paid by the National Consultative Council to dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland. While sensitive and difficult, only dialogue and trust-building can bring the parties closer to mutually acceptable solutions. In the recent federal elections, the percentage of women in Parliament regrettably decreased as compared to the 2016 elections. Nevertheless, it is important that all newly elected women members of Parliament be provided with sufficient support and security. We encourage the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, the United Nations Development Programme and UN-Women to continue to cooperate with key Somali partners in that regard. The meaningful and equal participation of women in Government is essential to progress in Somalia. Lastly, Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffith’s recent warning of a likely famine should serve as a reminder of the gravity of the humanitarian situation and the continued need for action. Tackling the devastating drought and the imminent risk of famine must remain a top priority for the Government and all international partners, and Norway stands ready to do its part. The worst outcome scenario must be averted. All stakeholders and parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. At the same time, more sustainable solutions to recurring emergencies must also be found.

At the outset, I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Swan for his comprehensive briefing. I would like to express our appreciation for his tireless efforts and the efforts of his team in supporting the Government and the people of Somalia. I would also like to thank Ms. Lortan and Ms. Weber for their valuable briefings. In addition, I offer our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack that targeted a civilian convoy in the Hiraan region, in central Somalia. My country condemns those criminal acts. This is a critical period for Somalia following the success of the electoral process and the vote of confidence in the new Government, which requires strengthening efforts to ensure Somalia’s security and stability. Furthermore, the Somali Government must be enabled to assume its responsibilities, especially in the light of the complex challenges facing it and the need to meet the Somali people’s aspirations to build a stable country so that they can enjoy peace and prosperity. The United Arab Emirates believes that the time is ripe to meaningfully improve the general situation in Somalia by working closely with the Somali leadership on their priorities. Today’s meeting provides the opportunity to send a clear message to the Somali people conveying the Council’s consistent support for them in achieving security and stability. In the context of our discussion, I would like to focus on two aspects, namely, the continued terrorist threat posed by Al-Shabaab and the dire humanitarian and climate crises. The people of Somalia, and all the people of the Horn of Africa, continue to face the brutality and terror of Al-Shabaab’s relentless violence. The terrorist group’s attacks continue to inflict harm on civilians, destroy essential infrastructure and cripple national and regional economic potential. Al-Shabaab’s continued deployment of sophisticated technology, including conducting its criminal activities, the concealment of its sources of funding and the ultimate spread of the group’s destructive reach, is a growing source of concern for us. As such, the Security Council must remain united in its resolve to address the transnational threat posed by Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups to international peace and security, including adopting the needed regulatory framework to prevent terrorist groups’ access to technology and countering its use for criminal purposes. The United Arab Emirates remains firmly committed to working with international and regional actors in supporting Somalia’s fight against terrorism. The Council is well aware of the humanitarian plight of the people of Somalia. All the relevant United Nations agencies have painted a bleak picture of the humanitarian situation, while warning of the ever- increasing threat of famine, as the country is currently experiencing the worst drought in its history. According to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/665), the drought will affect approximately 50 per cent of the population, while, at the same time, more than 6 million people are suffering from the lack of sufficient water, which is simply untenable. The deteriorating and worrisome crisis requires urgent attention from the international community, including by doubling its humanitarian assistance to support the Government of Somalia and helping vulnerable communities with relief from drought throughout the country. Accordingly, we look forward to hearing additional details from Mr. Martin Griffiths concerning his recent visit to Somalia and his recommendations on improving the humanitarian situation in the country. For its part, the United Arab Emirates remains committed to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia. Since the beginning of this year, my country has sent approximately 2,870 tons of aid to support the millions of people affected by the drought. Responding to climate-related challenges will also require the international community to focus on the terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab that are exploiting the crisis caused by the drought to achieve their objectives. Recent United Nations reports have documented that the group has become adept at using the drought and other urgent crises to its benefit, whether by extorting local communities or by attempting to expand their influence, including through propaganda and deceptive means. The United Arab Emirates therefore stresses the need for stronger collaboration between the Government of Somalia and key international partners in devising a community-oriented response plan. Importantly, humanitarian actors must be able to reach vulnerable populations and deliver unhindered aid relief. In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates commends the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and all partners for their vital support in Somalia’s journey towards security, stability and prosperity.

I would like to thank Special Representative Swan, Deputy Special Representative Lortan and European Union Special Representative Weber for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representative of Somalia at today’s meeting. We are pleased to hear that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has appointed a new Prime Minister and that the new Cabinet is already in place. Those are very encouraging developments. We call on Somalia’s political leadership to also further advance women’s meaningful inclusion in all processes, including in the new Administration. We welcome the establishment of six women’s peace networks across the federal member states. Albania also welcomes and echoes the key conclusions of the National Consultative Council meeting held in June in Mogadishu. We therefore encourage the Government to achieve tangible results in completing the constitutional reform within an agreed time frame, finalize a national independent judicial system and develop a unified democratic election model. It is crucial for the Federal Government to boost constructive dialogue with the federal member states and restore trust between citizens and institutions. Turning to the security situation, we commend the Government’s efforts to prioritize the fight against Al-Shabaab and improve the overall security landscape in Mogadishu and across Somalia. Albania condemns in the strongest terms the latest attacks by Al-Shabaab on 19 August and expresses its condolences to the families of the victims. In that regard, we echo the Secretary- General’s call for the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan, as well the importance of resuming Government-led discussions on force generation, force integration and the phased handover of security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia to the Somali security forces. We also urge the new Government to step up its efforts in tackling the continued human rights violations and abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence and grave violations committed against children, and to make progress on the swift adoption of key human rights-related legislation. Somalia continues to face an alarming drought emergency and increasing economic pressure, which have worsened the humanitarian situation. Albania is deeply worried about the situation’s impact on the population, particularly children, women and the elderly. In addition to that gloomy situation, ensuring humanitarian access has remained a major challenge, mainly as a result of ongoing conflict and insecurity. We applaud humanitarian actors for their efforts in providing life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable people. The entire international community should support those efforts. Lastly, Albania reiterates its support for the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and looks forward seeing its strategic review report, as well as the report on the arms embargo.

I would like to thank Special Representative Swan, Deputy Special Representative Lortan and Special Representative Weber for their briefings. I also welcome the Permanent Representative of Somalia to today’s meeting. I will focus my statement today on three points: the humanitarian crisis, the security situation and political developments. We note with great concern that, as Under- Secretary-General Griffiths warned us a few days ago, millions of Somalis are facing a tragic plight. The worst drought in four decades is affecting nearly half of the population, and 1 million Somalis have been forced to flee their homes. Of the 7.1 million people facing acute food insecurity, more than 213,000 could die if they do not receive urgent assistance. Since the beginning of the year, more than 750 children have died in nutrition centres, which is unacceptable. Sadly, those are not new warnings — we are well aware of them. The country is at imminent risk of famine owing to the projections for a fifth consecutive failed rainy season, the indisputable effects of climate change, the continued increases in food prices and a level of humanitarian aid that is not commensurate to scale of the needs. We need to take urgent action. We must not wait for an official famine to be declared. As the Security Council will recall, half of the deaths in the 2011 famine occurred before it was officially declared. My second point concerns the security situation. Al-Shabaab’s recent attacks, as well as its incursions into and threats to neighbouring States, demonstrate the risk the group poses both to Somalia and the region. Mexico condemns in the strongest terms the attacks committed by Al-Shabaab, including its 19 August attack on a hotel in Mogadishu and its attack on a food convoy on Friday. We extend our condolences to the victims and their families. The looting and destruction of humanitarian goods is also unacceptable. We underscore that all parties have an obligation to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and allow safe, timely and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance. They must also respect humanitarian personnel and the goods and supplies critical to civilians’ survival. The fight against Al-Shabaab requires the close coordination and cooperation of all actors on the ground. Mexico calls on the Government to redouble its efforts to implement the Somalia Transition Plan. In that connection, we encourage the international community to ensure the resources needed to ensure that both the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Somali security forces have the means to carry out their mandates. We look forward to receiving in the coming days the proposed benchmarks and indicators on increasing ATMIS effectiveness and the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan and the national security architecture, in line with resolution 2628 (2022). The technical assessment by the Secretary-General of Somalia’s arms and ammunition management capabilities will also be vital for us to take stock of the current capabilities in the face of the existing security threats. Finally, my country takes note of the formation of the new Cabinet and welcomes the goals laid out by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. We call on the new Federal Government to build on that momentum in order to promote political stability, including by strengthening relations with the federal member states, which will be essential to advancing its ambitious agenda. In that context, we hope that the strategic review the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) is currently conducting will enable it to lay groundwork in order to meet the Government’s priorities for ensuring the well-being of the Somali people. Mexico looks forward to engaging constructively with the members of the Council in the renewal of UNSOM’s mandate.

I would like to thank Special Representative Swan, Deputy Special Representative Lortan and Special Representative Weber for their briefings. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Somalia in today’s meeting. Somalia’s successful holding of elections and smooth transition of power in May has created a favourable political environment for Somalia to focus on urgent challenges and pursue peace and development. Since he assumed office, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been strengthening dialogue and reconciliation and promoting international cooperation, heralding a good start to his new Administration, and China appreciates those efforts. We welcome the fact that the parties in Somalia convened a National Consultative Council meeting in June to agree on seven priorities for national development and believe that the parties will continue to promote peace and reconstruction in a spirit of cooperation. Security issues are a daunting challenge facing the new Government of Somalia. In the recent period, Al-Shabaab and other terrorist forces have continued to launch terrorist attacks, posing a serious threat to Somalia and the Horn of Africa. The attack on the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu on 19 August and a series of terrorist activities demonstrate, once again, the urgency of counter-terrorism operations. China supports President Mohamud in listing counter-terrorism and accelerating the reconfiguration of forces as major tasks during his term. We welcome the Government’s efforts to enhance coordination and cooperation with the African Union and other key international partners in order to promote the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan and gradually take over the responsibility for maintaining its national security. I would like to pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of peacekeepers in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and to call on major donors to provide ATMIS with sustainable and predictable funding in order to ensure that AU peacekeepers regularly receive their stipends in full. At present, the humanitarian situation in Somalia is dire. The persistent drought affects the livelihoods of nearly half of its population, and food security is rapidly deteriorating, with significant risks of famine and malnutrition. The international community should accelerate its humanitarian response, increase its assistance and make the utmost efforts in order to prevent a humanitarian disaster. China welcomes the appointment by President Mohamud of the Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response in order to focus on humanitarian aid. We support the United Nations in its emergency fund relief to the Horn of Africa in order to mitigate the consequences of the drought. We also welcome the aid provided to Somalia by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, which will help the country address its challenges through assistance and debt relief. China expresses its solidarity with the people of Somalia, who are facing great hardship. China signed an exchange of notes in June on Somalia emergency food assistance. We will accelerate that process and do everything we can in order to help Somalia respond to the drought, and we will jointly explore lasting solutions to prevent and mitigate disasters. As required by the Council resolution, the Secretary-General will soon submit to the Council three reports  — a strategic review of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, an assessment of the progress by ATMIS and an adjustment of the benchmarks for the implementation of sanctions. China hopes that, in the drafting process for those reports, the Somali-led and -owned principles will be upheld, the opinions of Somalia, the AU and the countries of the region will be fully heeded and the reports be aligned with priorities of the new Somali Government so as to serve the goal of peace and development in the country.

We are grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General James Swan, as well as to Ms. Fiona Lortan, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Acting Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia, for their substantive briefings. We also listened to the briefing delivered by Ms. Annette Weber, Special Representative of the European Union for the Horn of Africa. Russia is closely following the developments in the situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia, which today faces serious challenges — a deep-rooted fragmentation of society, a terrorist threat and a country-wide large-scale drought. We have consistently supported the efforts of the Somali leadership to stabilize the domestic political situation. We commend the conclusion of the electoral process, including elections to both chambers of the Somali Parliament, the election of the President of the country and the appointment of the Prime Minister and the new Federal Government. We hope that all participants in the Somali political process, including the leaders of the states of Jubaland, Puntland and Somaliland, will continue to work together with Mogadishu in order to establish a sustainable model for federal governance in the country. Moreover, we firmly believe in the need to ensure the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia. We commend the work of the African peacekeepers who play a key role in counter-terrorism. We consider the presence of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to be one of the most important factors in deterring extremist and other illegal activity, as well as a guarantee of steady movement towards strengthening statehood in the country. We believe it important for the Somalis themselves to take an active part in the discussion of issues relating to the strategic goals, mandate, size, composition and financing of ATMIS. Nonetheless, we are concerned about the significant uptick in the activities of the Al-Shabaab group, which controls vast areas in the south and centre of Somalia. Al-Shabaab militants periodically successfully carry out high-profile attacks that result in a large number of victims. Those include terrorist attacks on towns and cities and on positions and bases of ATMIS and the Somali National Army. Our main message today is for the Somali Government to focus its efforts on increasing the effectiveness of the security and law enforcement agencies, including the Somali National Army, so that the Government can effectively ensure independent control over the security situation throughout the country.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Swan for his briefing and for his work as Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) over the past three years. His leadership has gone far to support Somalia’s efforts as it works towards a better future for its people. We commend his team’s work. Like others, we look forward to reading the UNSOM strategic review in October. Let me also thank our other briefers today, Deputy Special Representative Lortan and Special Representative Weber, for their informative and insightful presentations. Like others, the United States congratulates Somalia for the formation of its Government and looks forward to collaborating with the Government in support of efforts to extend governance, security and economic opportunities for the people of Somalia. We look forward to now seeing progress towards addressing Somalia’s serious challenges, including reconciliation among the national Government and federal member states, completing the review of the federal Constitution and achieving debt relief. As demonstrated by the horrific attack on 20 August at the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, the threat from Al-Shabaab remains a paramount concern. The actions of the Somali security forces who responded to and ended the attack were commendable. We strongly condemn the attack and, on behalf of the United States, I would like to offer condolences to the victims’ loved ones. The United States remains committed to supporting Somali-led efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab. We congratulate the Somali national security forces for their successful offensive to drive Al-Shabaab from the Hiraan region. It is now critical that sufficient security be supplied to allow governance and services to be rapidly extended to those liberated areas, particularly given the group’s efforts — as we heard — to destroy water wells and other critical infrastructure as they fled Government forces. We are committed to using all available tools to fight terrorism, including providing direct support to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and to Somalia’s security forces, as well as utilizing the sanctions regime under the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992), concerning Somalia, to designate Al-Shabaab operatives who continue to threaten peace and security in Somalia and throughout East Africa. We urge other Member States to do the same. As the single-largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, the United States remains committed to responding to the unprecedented drought impacting more than 7 million people facing food insecurity. The warning on Monday that a famine is projected next month is a sobering call to action for us all. The Somali Government deserves recognition for tackling this deepening crisis with the urgency required, but it is a challenge no one country can address alone. The international community must take concerted action, while dedicating the necessary resources in order to prevent the growing loss of life and livelihoods. Such action should include efforts to bolster global food supply and strengthen food resiliency. The United States Government has provided more than $700 million in assistance to Somalia this year amid the unprecedented drought, which constitutes more than 70 per cent of all contributions received so far by the United Nations humanitarian response plan for Somalia. We encourage other international partners to expand their contributions for humanitarian relief. Somalia can further strengthen its economic well- being by fulfilling the conditions required for reaching the completion point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. We welcome the Government’s engagement with international financial institutions to ensure that process remains on track. In conclusion, the United States strongly supports the Somali people. And we remain committed to working together to advance democracy and mutual prosperity for both our countries.

Let me begin by thanking Special Representative James Swan, Deputy Special Representative Fiona Lortan and Special Representative Annette Weber for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the representative of Somalia in this meeting. Somalia can boast significant political progress in 2022 — in particular, the formation of the national Parliament and the peaceful and transparent presidential election on 15 May. We commend Somali political actors for the spirit of dialogue and compromise, which made those developments possible. We also welcome the formation of the new Cabinet, which involved prolonged consultations with the several entities of Somalia’s federal structure. The increase in the participation of women is a sign that steps are being taken in the right direction. Overall, we are encouraged by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s emphasis on dialogue and reconciliation as key elements of his political platform. There were also significant steps towards the reconfiguration of the presence of international partners in Somalia. In that regard, I have in mind the transition from the African Union Military Observer Mission in Somalia to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Those advances, however, contrast with the dramatic humanitarian situation in the country. We are greatly concerned by the reports that the historic drought that Somalia is currently enduring may continue into the fall, with a possible fifth consecutive failed rainy season in the coming months. We took note, with alarm, of the recent statement of Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths that “famine is at the door”. We also recall the figures presented in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2022/665) about the estimated number of people facing acute food insecurity, that is, 7.1 million, or 45 per cent of Somalia`s population. In this ghastly context, the role of international partners is more important than ever. We praise the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia and the other United Nations agencies and programmes for their collaboration with the National Flood and Drought Task Force. We also commend the more than 300 humanitarian actors that provide life-saving assistance to 5.3 million Somalis under difficult logistical and security conditions. The food insecurity crisis that Somalia currently faces is aggravated by the security situation in the country, which hampers humanitarian access and disrupts the flow of goods and agricultural supplies. In that context, the recent attack by Al-Shabaab, which killed 20 people and burned seven food trucks, is particularly deplorable. Brazil condemns terrorism in all its forms and commends the work of ATMIS personnel and Somali security forces, who have the difficult mission of bringing peace and stability to Somalia. We know, however, that peace cannot be achieved by the use of force alone. The political processes that I have highlighted before are key, but so is economic development, as we have pointed out time and again in the Security Council. In that regard, we are encouraged by the progress in the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the framework of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, with the ultimate goal of allowing Somalia to be eligible for full debt relief. Somalia can be truly peaceful only when its citizens are able to earn a decent livelihood. The international community can play an important role in making that possible.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. James Swan; the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ms. Fiona Lortan; and the Special Representative of the European Union for the Horn of Africa, Ms. Annette Weber, for their briefings. France welcomes once again the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the appointment of Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre and the formation of the Government. We wish the federal Somali authorities every success and encourage them to pursue dialogue with the federal member states, including within the framework of the National Consultative Council. My first message concerns the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Somalia. I welcome the Government’s appointment of a Special Envoy for the Drought Response. The international community must mobilize. The European Union has announced €633 million to respond to the humanitarian and food crisis in the Horn of Africa, in addition to its humanitarian assistance to Somalia, which amounts to €61 million in 2022. The European Union also launched a humanitarian air bridge in July to provide urgent assistance — primarily food and medicine — in areas that are difficult to access by road. France is playing its full part in providing that assistance. This situation bears witness to the ravages of climate change and its consequences for peace and security. Al-Shabaab is exploiting the suffering of the people. France firmly condemns its attacks against civilians and Somali, regional and international forces. We welcome the Government’s determination to combat the threat of Al-Shabaab. The implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan is essential for an appropriate response to that threat, as the Secretary- General has stressed. France calls on the Federal Government and the federal member states to step up force generation to enable the Somali army to increase its strength, with the support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), including in relay. It is imperative that ATMIS begin its drawdown this year, as mandated by resolution 2628 (2022), so that Somalia can eventually provide its own security. The international community must support that transition. The European Union remains one of Somalia’s main partners. It has shown itself to be a reliable partner of Somalia and the African Union, providing nearly €2.3 billion to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and then ATMIS since 2007. We encourage more partners to contribute as well. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

I would like to begin by congratulating you, Madam, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. I take this opportunity to welcome the newly appointed African Union Special Representative to Somalia, Mr. Mohammed El-Amine Souef. I also want to thank Mr. James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia; Ms. Fiona Lortan, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Acting Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia; and Her Excellency Ms. Annette Weber, Special Representative of the European Union for the Horn of Africa, for their briefings on recent developments in my country. Since winning the election, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has taken steps to create an environment of unity and reconciliation among all stakeholders and visited three federal member states: South-West state, Galmudug state and Puntland state. Furthermore, the President held the first National Consultative Council meeting, laying the road map for the main national priorities. Those priorities include finalizing the provisional constitution, adopting a unified election model, realizing political and social reconciliation, finalizing the federalization process and adopting a suitable justice model. The meeting of the National Consultative Council emphasized that national unity is essential in achieving all priorities, including improved security and the development of the economic sector. Its upcoming meeting, to be held later this month in Mogadishu, will focus on trust-building and the execution of the detailed road map and plan of action for achieving the main national priorities. On the security front, as outlined in the recent implementation report of the Federal Government of Somalia on the Somalia Transition Plan, which was submitted to the Security Council on 10 July, considerable progress has been made on the implementation of the Plan. The Somali National Army continues to conduct offensive military operations against Al-Shabaab. In the past three weeks, towns and villages were recovered in Hiraan, Middle Shabelle and parts of Galmudug. The gallant Somali National Army soldiers defeated the enemy and recovered towns and villages. Somali National Army forces have weakened Al-Shabaab, disrupted its network and supply lines and pushed back the bulk of its forces. Somali National Army forces have opened main supply routes between the cities of Beledweyn, Mataban and Mahas. As a result of the heavy defeat of Al-Shabaab, it has responded with desperate acts of terrorism against soft targets and civilian populations. That was seen in Al-Shabaab’s deliberate and indiscriminate attack against the civilian population on the outskirts of the city of Beledweyn on 3 September, which resulted in the killing of 20 innocent civilians and the burning of seven vehicles transporting food, amid a severe drought in the country. Despite the progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab, challenges remain, in particular with regard to Somali security troops being sustained by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), as the number of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) locations and personnel will be reduced by 2,000 in the first quarter of 2023. Support to stabilization efforts in the transition phase is critical in consolidating the operational gains made by the Somali security forces. The Federal Government of Somalia has developed a local Government capacity for service delivery, increased legitimacy and strengthened ties with the local communities. I would like to make the following four points, which could pose a major challenge to our stabilization efforts. First, the UNSOS-managed Somali trust fund for the Somali National Army has major structural issues, as evidenced in the persistent shortfall of contributions in the past few years. On our part, we have witnessed delays in the provision of funding for quick-impact projects and medical evacuations, as well as other weaknesses in the fund. Therefore, we stand ready to cooperate with our donor partners to identify a medium- term alternative model for sustainable funding. Secondly, the low level of recruitment of Somali nationals in UNSOS remains unsatisfactory to the Federal Government of Somalia. Therefore, we reiterate that the discriminatory practices that have been observed against Somali candidates for positions of or already working as Somali national professional officers are unacceptable. Thirdly, with regard to the mismanagement of ATMIS food rations, we continue to observe United Nations tax exemptions on food rations in our markets. That is a major concern as it has an impact on troop- and police-contributing countries and the delivery of their mandates and tarnishes the image of the United Nations. It also has an impact on Somalia’s economy, especially on the livelihood of Somali traders. Fourthly, with regard to UNSOS waste management practices, not much has changed and, regrettably, accidental spills and improper waste management continue to occur. We reiterate our call on the Secretariat to remedy that outstanding serious issue in a timely manner. The Somalia Transition Plan provides strategic directions for the exit of ATMIS forces in the transition process in order to transfer security responsibility to the Somali National Army. In that context, planned activities will not succeed if the necessary international support is not properly restructured and available and aligned with the situation on the ground, including investment in quick-impact projects in recovered areas. It has been agreed that we would receive at least an equal level of support to ensure a successful transition. That is reflected in the concept of operations. We are committed to the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan and look forward to ongoing political, technical and logistical support from all our valued partners. As the Council is aware, my country is facing a protracted, recurring humanitarian crisis, coupled with the threat of flooding, the coronavirus disease pandemic and the global economic downturn. Early indications — the forecast for October, November and December — point to yet another season with below- average rainfall. Our people’s coping mechanisms have been significantly eroded. They have resorted to negative coping mechanisms. We thank humanitarian partners for their recent appeal and generous contribution to assist in our response to life-threatening needs. Nonetheless, we emphasize that humanitarian assistance alone cannot provide a sustainable or cost-effective solution to the recurring climate shocks in Somalia, as it requires substantial investment in development and climate change mitigation, while strengthening the nexus between humanitarian assistance and development assistance. That will help us to achieve medium- to long- term solutions to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and focus on our most vulnerable citizens.

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