S/PV.9764 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. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2024/698, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on Somalia. Members of the Council have before them document S/2024/790, 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 2753 (2024). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting. Dame Barbara Woodward (United Kingdom): Today’s vote marks the beginning of a crucial period for Somalia, the United Nations and Somalia’s international partners as we move into a series of transitions, both of the United Nations political presence in Somalia and, beginning next year, the African Union (AU) mission. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) has played an important role since its inception in 2013, supporting peacebuilding and State-building in Somalia by implementing its good offices, policy guidance, coordination, technical assistance and capacity-building functions. We are grateful for the significant efforts of UNSOM’s leadership and staff throughout the 11 years since its establishment. As the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) now takes over and begins its transition to a United Nations country team, the United Kingdom will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the transition is progressive and phased and that UNTMIS continues to deliver against the areas critical to Somalia’s needs during the first phase. We now look ahead to elections over the coming years, at both the federal member state and national levels, as well as significant changes in the AU security presence. The United Nations will continue to play a vital role throughout those processes. Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Swan for his leadership and commitment. I would also like to thank all colleagues on the Council for their constructive engagement on resolution 2753 (2024).

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Council plus, namely, Algeria, Guyana, Mozambique and my country, Sierra Leone. The A3+ thanks the United Kingdom for the constructive engagement and extensive consultations during the negotiation process on resolution 2753 (2024), which authorizes the transition of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to the United Nations country team. The A3+ recalls that the request from the Federal Government of Somalia was for a phased transition of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia to the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) for a period of two years, in collaboration with the partners involved, in order to provide assistance to Somalia to consolidate the progress and gains made in the State-building process. We are confident that UNTMIS will work in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia and the successor mission to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in its stabilization efforts and its offensive against Al-Shabaab. The A3+ therefore voted in favour of the resolution just adopted, with a view to advancing the effective implementation of the Federal Government of Somalia’s security sector plan and its national transformation plan, which are both critical for the security of Somalia and the wider region. The adoption of this resolution reflects, in a concrete manner, our collective acknowledgement of the progress registered by the Federal Government of Somalia in many respects, with important United Nations support over a period of many years. Such support from the United Nations has reached a point to be adapted to the realities and the needs on the ground and the final objective of handing over the responsibilities to the host country, in line with the principles and regulations governing the United Nations presence, deployment and withdrawal. Before arriving at the end date, it is necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the resolution to enable UNTMIS to support State-building processes, including the constitutional review and efforts to conduct free and fair elections through inclusive and transparent one person, one vote processes, including through capacity-building, technical assistance and policy guidance and the facilitation of dialogue to promote reconciliation. In conclusion, the A3+ reiterates its unwavering support for Somalia and urges all partners to continue their collaborative efforts to support the country during this pivotal period. We also emphasize the importance of continuing to prioritize the interests of the Somali Government in the transitional process. Together, we can support Somalia to achieve lasting peace, security and development.

The United States was pleased to vote in favour of resolution 2753 (2024), which renews the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), now to be known as the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS). We continue to view the Mission’s role as critical to peacebuilding, reform, reconciliation and rule of law priorities and ensuring that those efforts are done in coordination with security efforts. We welcome that the resolution effectively continues UNSOM’s mandate from resolution 2705 (2023), including its field presence, while incorporating recommendations from the joint United Nations-Federal Government of Somalia strategic review, including measured phases in the transition. We are glad that the resolution requires the Council to consider conditions on the ground before each phase, should the situation change or deteriorate. In addition, the resolution will allow the leadership of UNSOM/ UNTMIS to exercise its good offices, encourage Somalia to make progress towards finalizing the constitution, prepare for free and fair national and local elections, advance political, national and local reconciliation and promote human rights, including women’s political participation, the freedom of expression and the protection of journalists. At the same time, we are disappointed about the reporting requirements. This is not the time to decrease the number of reports and briefings to the Council, especially when the Council is considering the future of a post-African Union Transition Mission in Somalia mission. Finally, let me add a word of appreciation to Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jim Swan for his years of service in Somalia. We are very grateful for his leadership.

Just now, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2753 (2024) to formally commence the phased transition of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) at the request of the Somali Government. China welcomes its adoption. Since its establishment, UNSOM has made great efforts to support the Somali political process and coordinate international assistance. At this this pivotal time of transition, the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia must respect Somali leadership and ownership of the process, strengthen communication with the Federal Government of Somalia and provide more tailored support, in line with its national development priorities. It is important for the Mission to strive to leave a legacy before the end of its phased transition. To that end, it must strengthen the transfer of knowledge and skills to local employees and broaden procurement channels to help the local economy and improve people’s livelihoods.

The Russian Federation supported resolution 2753 (2024), which was submitted by the United Kingdom and reorganizes the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). We are delighted that the document we adopted to a large extent reflects Mogadishu’s priorities as set out in the Secretary-General’s letter addressed to the President of the Security Council dated 30 August 2024. Yet a number of constructive proposals put forward by individual Council members were not taken into account. Inter alia, we note that included the high-value added Chinese initiative to expand procurement on the Somali market for the United Nations presence. We attach particular importance to the fact that in the resolution the Security Council sets a date for ending the Mission’s mandate, namely, 31 October 2026. In that regard, we support Mogadishu’s intention to incorporate the Mission’s functions into the national system at pace. We take as a given that close coordination among UNSOM, the United Nations country team and relevant Somali agencies will be ensured at the requisite level. We remain convinced that ending the Mission’s mandate and transferring its functions is an important step on the path to State-building in Somalia, the ultimate goal being for Mogadishu to have the opportunity to independently ensure peace and security throughout its sovereign territory.

I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the penholder, the United Kingdom, and to Security Council delegations for their constructive engagement throughout the negotiations on the resolution on the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS). We welcome the adoption of resolution 2753 (2024), which reflects the Council’s commitment to implementing the request of the Federal Government of Somalia on the transition from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to a United Nations country team within next two years. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the leadership of Secretary-General Guterres and the dedication of UNSOM personnel over the past decade. We look forward to collaborating closely with the transition team and with the United Nations country team on our priorities, in particular the implementation of long-term development initiatives. Moreover, it is essential to prioritize nationalization during the drawdown phase. In that vein, we encourage UNTMIS to exert sustained efforts on national procurement and employing national staff, especially Somali women, in order to contribute to local capacity-building and investment in the local economy during the transition. Finally, the Federal Government of Somalia remains committed to the Somali people’s aspirations as we work towards peace and sustainable development.