Somalia poised to secure non-permanent seat on UN Security Council

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Friday May 31, 2024

Members of the United Nations Security Council during a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York. Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia is set to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, running unopposed for the African Group seat. The vote is scheduled for June 6 during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

Along with Somalia, Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, and Panama are running for the five available seats. All five candidates have previously served on the Council, including Pakistan seven times, Panama five times, Denmark four times, and Greece twice.

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It will be Somalia's second term on the Security Council, having last served from 1971 to 1972.

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.

In its campaign, Somalia has emphasized the importance of conflict prevention, sustainable development, and humanitarian assistance to address the root causes of conflict. The country also plans to prioritize the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agendas, stressing the involvement of civil society.

Somalia's dual membership in the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) positions it as a strategic mediator in regional conflicts. The country aims to foster dialogue among diverse groups, drawing on its unique regional ties.

During its previous Security Council term, Somalia supported global decolonization efforts and presided over a historic high-level meeting in Addis Ababa, the first to be held in Africa. Somalia plans to advocate for enhanced UN-AU cooperation and support the implementation of resolution 2719, which authorizes UN funding for AU peace support operations.

The election process requires formal balloting, even for uncontested seats. Somalia needs a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly vote, or at least 129 affirmative votes if all 193 UN member states participate. The election will fill five seats on the Security Council: one for the African Group, one for the Asia-Pacific Group, one for the Latin American and Caribbean Group, and two for the Western European and Others Group. The new members will take up their seats on January 1, 2025, and will serve until December 31, 2026.

The UN Security Council consists of 15 members, including five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, making decisions on sanctions, the use of force, and peacekeeping missions.

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