WATCH: UN Security Council extends mandate of UN Assistance Mission in Somalia

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Friday May 27, 2022

Mogadishu (HOL) - ‎Somali Ambassador to the United Nations Abukar Dahir Osman (Baale) welcomed the adoption of the resolution that renewed the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) mandate for another five months, until October 31, 2022.

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The resolution was unanimously adopted by the 15-member council, which requested that UN Secretary-General António Guterres inform Security Council members regularly through oral updates and written reports every 90 days.

Abukar Dahir Osman welcomed the unanimous adoption, saying, "this is the moment for the international community to renew its commitment to the Somali people and, at the same time, to strengthen coordination and consistency in the efforts among different entities and agencies of the United Nations."

He noted that despite the tangible gains made in recent years, its mandate and activities are increasing disproportionately, adding that the mission can do little to address the evolving political and security developments. Osman said that Somalia looks forward to working with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs to review the current mandate.

Osman outlined three considerations that would guide Somalia during the Secretary-General strategic review process:

First, we stress that in formulating options for the future United Nations presence, it must be led by the needs and expectations of the Somalis and their leadership. The review must take into account the need for national ownership and must always be aligned with national priorities. The Somali Government is now in a position to articulate those priorities and lead the discourse.

Second, in the process of the review, it is important to identify clearly defined, measurable and realistic benchmarks to track UNSOM's timely execution and achievement of its tasks while reducing fragmentation to advance efficient and effective delivery. Furthermore, the "end state" must be clear, encompassing a common understanding and shared vision of the roadmap for the transition from Special Political Mission to United Nations Country Team.

Last but not least, the international community must remain strongly committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia. The United Nations presence should be geared towards safeguarding territorial integrity and federalism in Somalia. Different interpretations and discussions of federalism in terms of power-sharing or revenue-sharing among Somalis in different regions should not alter the UN shared commitment to a strong and united Somalia. It is also crucial that all necessary efforts continue to be undertaken to implement measures against the internal and external actors attempting to undermine the peace and stability in the country.

Osman said that Somalia looks forward to the review and trusts that the UN will consider Somalia's progress, underscoring the essential need for the United Nations to "work in a spirit of collaboration and synergy" with Somalia.

The UN Security Council authorized the mission to Somalia in June 2013, acting on the recommendations of then-United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to advance peacebuilding and state-building in governance, security sector reform and the rule of law.

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