Security Council Statement, Welcoming Election of New President in Somalia, Stresses Urgent Need to Prevent Famine, Address Drought’s Consequences
The Security Council called today upon the newly elected President of Somalia to pay urgent attention to the immediate risk of famine, take active steps to prevent it and address the consequences of the severe drought confronting the country.
In a presidential statement read out by Volodymyr Yelchenko (Ukraine), the Council welcomed the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” and the conclusion of Somalia’s electoral process. It also commended former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the swift transfer of power.
Welcoming Somalia’s progress on the security and political fronts since 2012, the Council reiterated the need for safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of aid to those in need. It appealed to donors to increase support to the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia and to appeals for assistance by Somali federal and regional authorities.
Emphasizing the importance of governing in an inclusive manner and adhering to the political road map, the Council commended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) for its role in enabling the electoral process, adding that the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other international partners had also been instrumental. Noting, in particular, the role of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in establishing peace and stability, the Council highlighted its part in ensuring security for the electoral process, thereby enabling voting to take place across the country.
Highlighting women’s important contribution to Somalia’s peacebuilding and State-building processes, the Council welcomed their increased representation in the Upper House and the House of the People. He also underscored the importance of appointing Cabinet members in consultation with Parliament, calling upon that institution as well as all leaders to cooperate fully with the Federal Government in driving reform forward and addressing immediate priorities.
The Council stressed the Federal Government’s importance in enhancing efforts to strengthen Somalia’s security capabilities in moving towards the eventual handover of security responsibilities from AMISOM to national forces. In that regard, the Council encouraged UNSOM to continue to undertake a comprehensive approach to security, in close coordination with the Somali authorities, AMISOM and international partners.
Underlining the need to ensure progress in the Somali-led constitutional review process, the Council encouraged the Federal Government to promote a reconciliation process that would engender local, national and regional cohesion, a climate of respect for human rights and increased transparency. It urged the new Administration to lay the foundations for inclusive and transparent elections in four years’ time, including by ensuring that public office could not be won through harassment, intimidation, corruption or manipulation.
Today’s meeting began at 12:33 p.m. and ended at 12:40 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2017/3 reads as follows:
“The Security Council welcomes the conclusion of the electoral process in Somalia and the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed 'Farmajo'. The Security Council pays tribute to former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his service and commends the swift and gracious transfer of power in Somalia.
“The Security Council welcomes the political and security progress in Somalia since 2012, and underscores the need to maintain the momentum towards democratic governance in Somalia. The Security Council commends the increased participation and representation of the people of Somalia in the electoral process. The Council emphasises the importance of governing in a spirit of national unity in an inclusive manner and of adhering to the political road map in order to reach one-person, one-vote elections in four years time.
“The Security Council commends the role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in enabling the electoral process in close cooperation with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other international partners. The Security Council pays tribute to the contribution of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, noting in particular AMISOM’s critical role in ensuring the provision of security for the electoral process, which along with the Somali security forces, enabled voting to take place across the country.
“The Security Council strongly condemns recent Al-Shabaab attacks that attempted to disrupt the political process in Somalia and pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of AMISOM and the Somali security forces for their efforts in reducing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
“The Security Council welcomes the increased representation of women in the Upper House and the House of the People and underlines the important contribution of women to Somalia’s peacebuilding and State-building process.
“The Security Council underscores the importance of the timely and transparent appointment of ministers and Cabinet positions in consultation with the Somali Parliament. The Council calls on the Parliament and all Federal and State leaders to cooperate fully with the Federal Government of Somalia in driving forward reform and addressing immediate priorities without delay.
“The Security Council calls on President Farmajo and his Government to give urgent attention to the immediate risk of famine, to take active steps to prevent it, and to address the consequences of the severe drought in Somalia. The Council appeals to donors to increase support to the Humanitarian Response Plan for Somalia and to support the appeals for aid by Somali federal and regional authorities. The Council reiterates the need for full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of aid to persons in need across Somalia.
“The Security Council emphasises the need to accelerate agreement between the federal and regional authorities on a Somali federal security sector architecture, which clearly defines the roles, responsibilities and structures of relevant security sector institutions under full Somali ownership as an immediate priority. The Council stresses the importance of the Federal Government of Somalia enhancing and strengthening efforts to strengthen Somalia’s security capabilities in order to move towards the eventual handover of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security services. In this regard, the Council encourages UNSOM to continue to undertake a Comprehensive Approach to Security in close coordination with the Somali authorities, AMISOM and international partners.
“The Security Council underlines the importance of good faith cooperation between federal and regional authorities in Somalia in order to accelerate Somalia’s peacebuilding and State-building process, and calls on the international community and Somalia's partners to step up their support to efforts to build and strengthen Somalia’s national institutions, governance structures and socioeconomic infrastructure.
“The Security Council underlines the need to ensure progress in the Somali-led constitutional review process. The Council encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to promote a comprehensive reconciliation process that brings about local, regional, and national cohesion and integration in a climate of respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to establish an effective federal political system. The Council further encourages President Farmajo, the federal and regional authorities to reiterate Somalia’s commitment to increase transparency and accountability of public financial management, including to advance security sector reform.
“The Security Council urges the new Federal Administration to take active steps to lay the foundations for inclusive and transparent elections in four years time, including by ensuring that public office in Somalia cannot be achieved through harassment, intimidation, corruption or manipulation.
“The Security Council reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia.
“The Security Council recognizes that the coming months will be an important period for Somalia. The Council will continue to follow progress closely, and reaffirms its support for peace, stability and development in Somalia.”