Somalia’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is being celebrated as a significant achievement for the war-torn country.
This marks the first time Somalia has held such a position since the 1970s, a notable milestone given its prolonged civil war and ongoing battles against Islamist militants.
The UN Security Council plays a crucial role in deciding how the organization responds to global conflicts.
Analysts believe Somalia’s efforts to address its internal turmoil and combat extremist groups will contribute to the UN’s decision-making processes.
There are ten rotating non-permanent members on the council alongside the five permanent members (the US, UK, France, China, and Russia).
Winning a seat requires the support of at least two-thirds of the General Assembly’s voting delegations.
Somalia secured its seat uncontested for the East Africa region and garnered 179 votes in a secret ballot among the 193-member General Assembly.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Fiqi expressed Somalia’s readiness to play a vital role in promoting global peace and security.
Somalia’s history, including the ousting of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and subsequent civil war, has seen significant UN and African Union involvement in rebuilding governance structures.
The country’s ongoing struggle against al-Shabab, an Islamist militant group, has also been a focal point of international attention.
James Swan, the UN’s acting special representative for Somalia, highlighted Somalia’s progress and its potential contributions to the Security Council’s discussions on peace and security.
Despite past challenges, Somalia is viewed as evolving beyond being a crisis hotspot in the Horn of Africa.
The Security Council’s responsibilities include authorizing peacekeeping operations and imposing sanctions.
Last December, it lifted an arms embargo on Somalia, reflecting international recognition of Somalia’s strides towards stability.
While Somalia replaces Mozambique as a non-permanent member representing Africa, the AU continues to advocate for increased representation on the council, aiming for two permanent seats and additional non-permanent seats for African states.
Source-BBC
