Monday June 24, 2024
Mohamed El-Amine Souef, Special Representative to Somalia and Head of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia. UN Photo/Loey Felipe
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia faces critical humanitarian and security challenges exacerbated by climate impacts and terrorist threats from Al-Shabaab, as highlighted in a recent UN Security Council meeting. UN and US officials emphasized the urgent need for international support to address these issues.
"The impact of climate change is outpacing our ability to support adaptation and humanitarian response," warned James Swan, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Over 3.8 million people are displaced, and the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, requiring $1.6 billion, is only 24 percent funded. Swan urged international partners to increase their contributions, emphasizing, "We need more support to address these urgent needs."
El-Amine Souef, head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), acknowledged Al-Shabaab's resilience, citing recent attacks in the Galmudug region and on ATMIS camps in Southwest state. "The group still retains the ability to conduct devastating attacks," Souef noted. Since June 2023, 5,000 ATMIS troops have withdrawn, with another 4,000 set to leave by the end of September 2024. Souef highlighted the need for a smooth and orderly transition, stating, "To establish lasting peace, we need to ensure a smooth transition and build capacity."
Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia also pose significant challenges. "I encourage Somalia and Ethiopia to resolve this matter peacefully in accordance with principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," Swan urged. The US echoed this sentiment, with Ambassador Robert Wood calling for diplomatic dialogue to de-escalate tensions. "Diplomatic dialogue is the way to de-escalate tensions and avoid setbacks in Somalia's state-building efforts," Wood stated.
Somalia's Federal Government continues to pursue key national priorities, including constitutional review and the fight against Al-Shabaab. Between February and May, the Federal Parliament adopted constitutional amendments to the first four chapters of the 2012 Provisional Constitution, reaffirming the Government's commitment to a one-person, one-vote electoral model. Swan also highlighted progress in women's rights, noting the finalization of the Bill of Rights, which includes important guarantees of child rights and protection against female genital mutilation.
Ambassador Wood reaffirmed UNSOM's role in supporting Somalia's reform and reconciliation priorities. "It is critical that we regularly measure progress towards important benchmarks," Wood emphasized. He stressed the urgency of establishing a post-ATMIS force by January 1, 2025, to maintain stability and support Somalia's progress toward good governance and democratization. "We welcome the international consensus in support of a follow-on mission to ATMIS," Wood added.
Highlighting the importance of accountability, Wood welcomed recent sanctions against Al-Shabaab operatives. "Individuals and entities who fuel conflict in Somalia must be held accountable," he stated. Wood also emphasized the need to support changemakers in Somalia who are working toward a better future. "We must lift up changemakers across Somalia who are helping build a better future for all," he concluded.