Thursday June 6, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - The UN General Assembly on Thursday elected Somalia, Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, and Panama to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on January 1 next year.
Somalia received 179 votes, Pakistan 182, Panama 183, Greece 182 and Denmark 184, meeting the criterion of obtaining two-thirds of the votes to replace Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland.
The new members will serve as non-permanent UNSC members from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026.The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Ambassador Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, said the country's diplomatic efforts have borne fruit, highlighting Somalia's relentless commitment to international peace. He added that Somalia will now play a significant role in major decisions affecting global politics and security.
It is the first time in 52 years that Somalia has won a non-permanent
seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Somalia's candidacy has
received strong backing from the African Union (AU). At the 44th
Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in February 2024, Somalia
was endorsed as the sole candidate for the African seat. This
endorsement led to the withdrawal of other contenders, including
Mauritius and Madagascar.
The UN Security Council comprises 15 members, including five permanent members and ten non-permanent members, who were elected for two years. The Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, making decisions on sanctions, using force, and peacekeeping missions.