Statement to the UN Security Council
By
H.E SRCC Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef
Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia & Head of ATMIS
New York, 22 June 2023
Monsieur le Président,
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
Distingués Membres du Conseil,
Honorable Assistance,
Je vous remercie d’avoir bien voulu m’accorder l’opportunité de m’adresser aujourd’hui au Conseil et de partager avec vous mes analyses des principaux développements politiques et sécuritaires de ces derniers mois en Somalie, en prélude au renouvellement du mandat de l’ ATMIS, qui arrive à expiration dans quelques jours.
Permettez-moi, avant tout, d’avoir une pensée solennelle en la mémoire de tous les soldats qui ont perdu leur vie dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions en Somalie. Leur contribution au service de la paix dans ce pays, au sacrifice de leur vie, ne sera jamais oubliée.
Mr. President
I am also honoured to speak today alongside H.E. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. On behalf of the African Union, I would like to recognise his stellar leadership in steering Somalia towards lasting peace and security.
I commend the good collaboration between ATMIS, FGS and international partners in the fight against terrorism for peace, reconciliation, and stability in Somalia.
Speaking before me this morning was Ambassador Catriona Laing, the new SRSG of UNSOM. Our joint presence here is a reminder of the unique partnership that exists between the African Union and the United Nations.
On 23 May, Somalia marked an important milestone in celebrating President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s first anniversary of returning to office. Somalis came together to commemorate the occasion and renew the call for peace, stability, and prosperity.
As we reflect on the past year, it is clear that the stability ushered in last May has delivered great dividends and, in many instances, exceeded expectations. The progress made thus far is also a testament to the resilience and determination of the Somali people.
Since my briefing in February, Somalia has continued to focus on building consensus on critical issues that will hopefully lead to a transformative change in the country. I am pleased to note the vehicle for advancing change remains the National Consultative Council (NCC). In December 2022, the NCC agreed on a Federal Judicial Model, a strategic milestone towards the establishment of an independent federal judicial system in Somalia. In March 2023, we saw a landmark agreement on the National Security Architecture, while in May, the NCC agreed on returning Somalia to one-person, one-vote elections.
With the National Security Architecture Agreement, we look forward to more work on cascading the agreement to the federal member state level and developing a sustainability and affordability plan. And with Somalia’s efforts towards universal elections, the African Union will continue to offer its expert support as we collectively work towards a more inclusive society in Somalia.
Since the government’s formation last August, I have been impressed by the collaborative working relationship between the executive and legislative branches. Both branches are committed to ensuring Somalia is governed under the protection of the law. In this context, I applaud the signing into law of several bills.
Encouraging steps have also been taken to signal that completion of the Constitution Review Process will be finalised during the Federal Government’s current term. I welcome the recent announcement by the constitutionally mandated bodies to complete the Constitutional Review Process (CRP) in 18 months. The successful completion of this task will significantly impact Somalia’s future. It will require a broad national consensus that must include representatives of political institutions, political figures, traditional elders, civil society organisations, women, and youth representatives, including from Puntland.
Mr. President,
Turning to the security situation.
We continue to assess that security remains relatively stable but fluid across all our sectors. With Al-Shabaab being the main threat to Somalia and, presently, the region, there have been important successes in degrading Al-Shabaab. Under the Somali Security Forces (SSF) leadership, Al-Shabaab has been dislodged from over 70 locations across Somalia during the current offensive. This also benefited from ongoing ATMIS advisory support on the importance of compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Human Rights Law, UNHRDDP and protection of civilians.
It is clear that the SSF-led offensive, with support from ATMIS and international partners, has put Al-Shabaaab under operational pressure. However, at ATMIS, we are mindful that our campaign against Al-Shabaab is a long-term campaign requiring a holistic approach. There will be days of great success, and there will be periods of setbacks.
On 26 May, Al-Shabaab attacked ATMIS’s Bulo Mareer FoB, resulting in several troops being killed and injured. Since the incident, ATMIS, in joint operations with the SSF, has recaptured the Bulo Mareer FoB.
The next phase of operations against Al-Shabaab will be significant as Al-Shabaab attempts to strengthen its weakened command and control structure. I welcome the Federal Government’s decision to extend this campaign to the involvement of the Frontline States [Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya].
The operation, while military in objective, will have clear stabilisation lines of efforts to ensure our existing military gains can be translated into a strategic success. Currently, ATMIS and the Federal Government are in regular consultation to ensure proper coordination exists regarding the Frontline States’ participation in the upcoming offensive.
Mr. President,
Let me take this opportunity to update the Council on ATMIS’s efforts to implement the security transition.
We now have a new leadership in place across the mission’s three components, and we have, as mentioned above, successfully partnered and supported the SSF-led offensive. We have recently in April submitted the security benchmarks to Council, highlighting our collaborative effectiveness together with the Federal Government.
I am pleased to report with steady progress in the Federal Government’s force generation programme, ATMIS uniform personnel have increased their mentoring activities to the Somalia National Army (SNA) and the Somalia Police Force (SPF). To continue this activity, we appeal to ATMIS donors to continue supporting our police efforts in training the SPF.
Turning to a key aspect of the security transition, I can report to Council that the drawdown of 2000 ATMIS troops in accordance with Security Council resolutions 2628 (2022) and 2670 (2022) is now being implemented (Marka Ayub handed over on 18 June, Xaadicali on 20 June while Mirtquo will be handed over on 23 June, Albao on 23 June, Cadale on 27June, Aljezeera 1 on 28 June and Gherille on 30 June).
I also welcome the strong partnership between Somalia and ATMIS in developing the “Mogadishu Document” for the June drawdown of 2000 ATMIS troops. This joint position was accepted at the TCCs Summit in Kampala following comprehensive deliberations. As a result, the June drawdown has been advancing with UNSOS support and will meet its deadline of 30 June.
With the completion of Phase 1, particularly the drawdown next week, ATMIS can create Quick Reaction Forces and Mobile Forces.
We also anticipate the deployment of key enablers, such as attack and utility helicopters and long-range ISR and Counter IED capabilities. This will enhance ATMIS’s operational capability, thus enabling the mission to better respond to the SSF operational requirements in the battlefield.
Mr. President,
In the next 18 months, we must collectively agree on the role ATMIS should continue to play as it begins to draw down and finally exit Somalia. We must all reach a consensus on what exactly Somalia should achieve in the next 18 months to ensure the ATMIS transition is successful.
Mr. President,
Another issue that needs our attention is tackling the effects of climate change. I am particularly worried about the alarming rate of floods and droughts. As recently highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report, these have led to the displacement of around 1.4 million Somalis, with women and children being the ones most affected. In previous years, ATMIS has offered some support to displaced persons, particularly those in its area of operations. With the drawdown, Somalia will need additional support, particularly in finding durable solutions.
Let me conclude, Mr. President, with some remarks on the upcoming mandate renewal. I believe we have a chance to improve on past mandates by aligning with the government’s security priorities. We must support SSF leadership, hold liberated areas, and take over FOBs. These forces require resources to fight Al-Shabaab and stabilise newly liberated areas. This calls for the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia.
سيدي الرئيس،
يحتاج الصومال إلى جميع شركائه وأصدقائه لتحويل حلم السلام والاستقرار والأمن إلى حقيقة دائمة. ولذلك ، فإنني أحيي تصميم الحكومة وإرادتها السياسية على حشد جميع القوى النشطة لضمان النجاح الكامل في تنفيذ المرحلة الانتقالية التي ستفتح صفحة جديدة في تاريخ الصومال الحديث.
وما زلت مقتنعا بشكل خاص بأن الصومال والشعب الصومالي يمكنهما أيضا الاعتماد دائما على كرم وكرم ودعم مجلس الأمن والمجتمع الدولي بأسره في بناء حاضر ومستقبل أفضل.
شكرًا