S/PV.9491 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. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2023/938, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2714 (2023). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

Allow me to begin by thanking China for its presidency for the month of November and congratulating you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency today. The three African members of the Security Council (A3) voted in favour of resolutions 2713 (2023) and 2714 (2023) to reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability in Somalia. We recognize the significant role that Somalia plays for the peace and stability of the African continent and the challenges it faces, particularly from the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. We therefore support all efforts to degrade the capabilities of the Al-Shabaab group. We particularly appreciate the resolutions’ clarification that there is no arms embargo on the Federal Government of Somalia. This affirmation of Somalia’s sovereignty and its right to equip its own military is essential, especially as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia prepares to leave the country under the transitional plan. Furthermore, we commend Somalia for the progress made in weapons and ammunitions management, which has been recognized in the resolution. It is crucial for Somalia to continue strengthening these efforts, as effective weapons management will reduce the ability of Al-Shabaab and other actors to obtain illicit weapons and ammunition. It will also enhance the capability of the Somali security forces to analyse captured weapons, ultimately reducing the threat caused by terrorists not only in Somalia but in the wider region. We extend our gratitude to the penholder for guiding the Council to agree to Somalia’s proposals to divide the text into two distinct yet interconnected resolutions. This division allows a more focused approach to both the unique challenges that Somalia faces and the specific threats posed by Al-Shabaab. We also thank the penholder for its leadership in incorporating the inputs of the A3 in the two resolutions and for fostering constructive engagement among our delegations. The consensus-based adoptions of the two resolutions, even if one was not unanimous, are a strong testament to the power of collaboration and mutual respect. Lastly, the A3 reaffirms its unwavering solidarity and support to Somalia in their pursuit of lasting peace, stability and prosperity. We are confident that, with the continued support of the international community, Somalia’s vision for a peaceful and prosperous future will become a reality.

The Russian Federation voted in favour of both draft resolutions presented to the Security Council by the United Kingdom on Somalia and on the sanctions on the terrorist group Al-Shabaab (resolutions 2713 (2023) and 2714 (2023)). We welcome the lifting of the arms embargo on that country. Russia has consistently advocated for a review of temporary sanctions regimes in African States, as they impede the development of their national law enforcement and security agencies. We expect that this measure will provide significant assistance to Mogadishu in overcoming the many years of difficulties they have encountered in the process of strengthening their statehood. In parallel to that, Russia is providing bilateral food aid to Somalia. On 30 November — just yesterday — we supplied 25,000 tons of wheat to Somalia, and before the end of the year we are planning another delivery of grain for Somalis in the same volume. We do hope that this assistance will help to reduce the negative effects of the large-scale floods caused by El Niño. My delegation also supported the Security Council resolution aimed at strengthening restrictions on Al-Shabaab (resolution 2713 (2023)), which is a growing threat, not just for Somalia but for the whole region. We hope that the measures therein in will help to dismantle the destructive potential of that entity. We are satisfied that in both of these resolutions, no mention was made of the dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea. It is quite obvious that this issue was not and is not relevant to the documents under consideration. The resolution of outstanding issues between these two countries is something that lies in the realm of bilateral diplomacy, and this is something that we call on Asmara and Djibouti to participate in. That said, the absence of references to this dispute in Security Council resolutions does not mean that we will not be prepared to pay attention to this issue should the situation change or new circumstances arise. Djibouti and Eritrea can expect that we will have a balanced and impartial attitude to that. We would like to point out that, while working on these two documents, a number of proposals of ours, which we consider to be very important, were not taken on board. First and foremost, I am referring to the destructive impact of unilateral coercive measures. We have stated on many an occasion that these are illegitimate and can only lead to grave negative consequences for local populations. They are particularly inhumane, as they affect the least developed States, for which additional sanctions become an obstacle to social and economic development. Furthermore, we had questions regarding the wording in the resolutions on automatic exemptions of arms transfers to private security companies. Although the resolutions do state that they must be licensed by the Somali Government, the Security Council does not have the list of such companies. We expect that Mogadishu will approach this responsibly and will not allow growing militarization in the Horn of Africa.

I would like to join colleagues in expressing our gratitude and congratulations to Ambassador Zhang Jun and his team for the successful conclusion of their presidency in November. I also extend our heartfelt welcome to the new Permanent Representative of Ecuador, and wish him and his team all the best for the December presidency. I would like to express Japan’s profound appreciation for the penholders’ tireless efforts to reach agreement on divergent views. Japan has voted in favour of these important resolutions (resolutions 2713 (2023) and 2714 (2023)). The resolutions allow the Federal Government of Somalia to acquire the necessary types of equipment, mostly to advance its urgently needed security sector reform, while continuing to make it difficult for Al-Shabaab to access weapons, ammunition and financial resources. The renewed sanctions regime reflects the reality on the ground, based on reports from United Nations entities and the Panel of Experts on Somalia. It will enhance greater regional cooperation, which is essential to degrading Al-Shabaab in the region. Full implementation of these resolutions by the entire international community is essential. In this regard, we welcome the extension of the broad mandate of the Panel of Experts, and we applaud their professionalism and dedication. Japan commends the continuous efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia to fulfil the benchmarks of the sanctions regime. Japan reaffirms its commitment to support these efforts, including through active contribution to the work of the sanctions Committee.

I would like to begin by congratulating Ecuador on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Council members for their strong support during China’s presidency last month. The Council just adopted two resolutions on, respectively, sanctions against the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab (resolution 2713 (2023)) and the management of weapons and ammunition in Somalia (resolution 2714 (2023)), and China voted in favour of both of them. We welcome the fact that the two resolutions, upon the requests of the Federal Government of Somalia and some Council members, substantively lift the arms embargo on the Federal Government of Somalia and tighten the sanctions against Al-Shabaab. We are confident that Somalia will seize this opportunity to strengthen security capacity- building, improve the management of weapons and ammunition, actively conduct counter-terrorism operations and inject new impetus into the maintenance of national security and stability. It should be noted, however, that this resolution still requires the Federal Government of Somalia to submit to the Council a list of imported weapons — a measure which is restrictive, will unnecessarily pose obstacles to the Government’s efforts to enhance security capacity-building and thus needs further improving and refining. On the other hand, this resolution continues to grant special exemptions to certain Western countries for arms import. Such double standards are neither in line with the principles of fairness and non-discrimination nor conducive to upholding the authority of the Council’s sanctions regime. It is our hope that the Council, in its future deliberations, will deal with relevant issues in a more balanced and transparent manner.

I would like to begin by thanking China for its stewardship as President of the Security Council for the month of November. In a month that proved to be exceptionally challenging, China helped to steer our discussions on critical issues with wisdom and skill. I also wish to congratulate Ecuador and wish them every success as they assume the presidency of the Council for December. Turning to the resolutions adopted today (resolutions 2713 (2023) and 2714 (2023)), I would like to first express our appreciation to the United Kingdom for their creative approach as penholder. We believe that the work that has been done here will positively affect the future of Somalia. I also thank Council members for their constructive engagement throughout the negotiations of what is the Council’s longest-ever United Nations sanctions regime. The United Arab Emirates welcomes today’s resolution (resolution 2714 (2023)) and fully supports the lifting of the arms embargo on the Federal Government of Somalia. The resolution marks the culmination of a partnership between the Council and the Government of Somalia, and it enables the Council to respond to the calls made by the Government to review the sanctions regime, which were also strongly supported by the African Union. Today’s resolution sets a precedent on the way in which sanctions regimes can be adjusted according to developments on the ground. The United Arab Emirates believes in the importance of sending a strong message that Somalia’s plight matters and that the Council stands with the Somali people. While today’s resolution is a big step, it is just a first step, and the threat of Al-Shabaab’s terrorist activities still hangs over Somali civilians. The immense challenges that the country faces today cannot be solved solely through military means. In addition to the vision so clearly articulated by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the Council last June (see S/PV.9356), it is vital to continue multilateral engagement and support for Somalia from the international community. As the country continues to make strides towards lasting stability, we must look to consolidate peace gains. There is still a distance to go. We encourage the broader United Nations system, Somalia’s partners and the international community at large to continue their efforts in assisting the country in the creation of conditions conducive to economic recovery, growth and stability. The United Arab Emirates remains steadfast in its support for Somalia and its people, and we will continue to work alongside them and their partners in support of a peaceful and prosperous future.

I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

At the outset, I would like to extend my congratulations to you, Mr. President, on the assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council for this month and commend your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of China, for the effective way in which he steered the deliberations of the Council last month. We thank all Council members who have voted for the consensus adoption of resolution 9714 (2023), and we welcome the adoption of the two resolutions (resolutions 9713 (2023) and 9714 (2023)). It is crucial to underscore the primary focus of the Council on countering Al-Shabaab. At the same time, the adoption of the current resolution on Somalia, which lifts the long-standing arms embargo on the Federal Government of Somalia, enables us to confront security threats, including those posed by Al-Shabaab. It also allows us to bolster the capacity of the Somali security forces by accessing lethal arms and equipment to adequately safeguard our citizens and our nation. We are dedicated to addressing the underlying causes of violent extremism in our country, including by promoting socioeconomic development. It is our belief that sustainable peace and security can only be achieved through a comprehensive approach that integrates security measures with initiatives aimed at fostering long-term stability and prosperity. It is our firm commitment to further strengthen our weapons and ammunition management and to maximize the utilization of our resources for the purpose of upholding peace within our borders. We will work diligently together to ensure that the violent extremist groups’ illicit ability to gain arms continues to be restrained. We welcome the support of bilateral friends in our efforts to address security challenges. We will continue to collaborate with our global partners, including the African Union and United Nations, to enhance our national ownership and capabilities. In that regard, I am pleased to report today that phase 2 of the drawdown of the 3,000 African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops will conclude as scheduled, on 31 December. The Somali Government is committed to fully implementing the transition of the security responsibility from ATMIS to the Somali National Army within the agreed timelines. In conclusion, this represents a significant opportunity for our country to strengthen its ability to address security challenges and advance our collective goal of consolidating peace and security within our borders. We remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding human rights, promoting peace and ensuring the well-being of all our citizens as we move forward in this critical endeavour. Lastly, since this is my last time taking the floor this month, I would like to congratulate the outgoing Council members, namely, Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates, for the successful completion of their mandate. We commend their remarkable efforts and cooperation over the past two years.