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, 03 October 2024
Excellence, Madame la Présidente du Conseil de Sécurité,
Distingués Membres du Conseil,
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs
Permettez-moi tout d’abord, Madame la Présidente, de vous présenter mes vifs remerciements de m’avoir donné l’opportunité de m’adresser aujourd’hui au Conseil de Sécurité. Je souhaiterais ensuite, Madame la Présidente, vous féliciter pour l’accession de votre pays à la présidence du Conseil de sécurité pour ce mois d’octobre et de vous remercier d’avoir convoqué cette réunion consacrée à la Somalie.
Je suis également honoré d’être accompagné de Mr. James Swan, chef par intérim de la Mission d’Assistance des Nations Unies en Somalie. Notre présence conjointe témoigne de l’engagement et l’implication partagés de l’Union Africaine et des Nations Unies en faveur de la Somalie.
Permettez-moi, une fois de plus, au nom d’ATMIS, d’exprimer ma gratitude aux forces de sécurité somaliennes ainsi qu’au personnel militaire, police, et civil de la Mission pour leur engagement indéfectible envers la paix et la sécurité en Somalie, souvent au péril de leur propre vie. J’honore la mémoire de ceux et celles qui ont payé le prix ultime dans l’accomplissement de leur devoir et souhaite un prompt rétablissement aux blessés. Leur courage et leur sacrifice nous rappellent le véritable coût de la paix et le pouvoir durable de la bravoure et de l’honneur.
Madam President,
Since my last briefing to this esteemed Council in June, Somalia has continued to show great commitment to fostering stability, peace, and national development. The progress achieved thus far reflects Somalia’s determination to enhance governance, security, and inclusive growth, foundational for a glorious and prosperous future.
Underpinning this progress has been the convening of the tenth National Consultative Council (NCC), on 2 October, focusing on military operations against Al-Shabaab, advancing the democratization process, and reviewing the implementation of prior NCC agreements. We should continue to encourage Puntland to return to the National Consultative Council for inclusive dialogue and effective implementation of key national priorities.
In parallel, there has also been progress in reviewing and amending the Provisional Constitution, with ongoing discussions to ensure that the views and perspectives of all stakeholders are considered in the review of chapters 5 to 9 of the Provisional Constitution. This development followed the approval, by the FGS Council of Ministers of a bill establishing an Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission. This will strengthen the country’s democratic processes and promote transparency and accountability in future elections.
We welcome the decision by the Federal Government of Somalia, under the leadership of H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to impose a total ban on the trade, smuggling, and any other business related to weapons and ammunition by non-State actors.
Importantly, I commend Somalia for showing immense commitment to enhancing security and maintaining peace since the lifting of the arms embargo, and further urge concerted efforts to advance enforcement of Somalia’s Arms and Ammunition Control Procedures, vital in preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons.
Despite these developments, tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia persist since January 2024. I, therefore, welcome the ongoing efforts to address the dispute between the two countries and I look forward to an outcome that embodies the principles of sovereignty, respect for territorial integrity and adherence to international law, key to promoting peace and security as well as effective cooperation and development.
Madam President
Turning to the security situation.
The recent months have witnessed a fluid security landscape in Somalia, characterised by progress and setbacks. The Somali Security Forces intensified efforts to degrade Al-Shabaab capabilities, through improved targeted counter-terrorism operations that led to the elimination of insurgent leaders and dismantling of several operational bases.
Nonetheless, Al-Shabaab has continued to deploy asymmetric tactics, including complex attacks, IEDs, VBIEDs, and indirect fire. The recent mortar attacks on AU/UN camps in Baidoa, Mogadishu and Kismayo, and other forms of attacks against civilian and military targets in Mogadishu and across the ATMIS Sectors, demonstrate Al-Shabaab resilience and underscore the need for robust intelligence sharing mechanisms.
Moreover, reports of Al-Shabaab acquiring missiles and armed UAVs are a further source of concern, increasing drone threat and hostility to FGS installations, ATMIS, UN and SSF locations and civilian targets.
Similarly, the growing risk of infiltration and collaboration between Al- Shabab and the Houthis is a considerable security challenge, threatening regional stability in the Horn of Africa as well as maritime navigation and shipping routes in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Channel of Mozambique. These concerns underscore the transnational nature of security challenges and the need for comprehensive and coordinated international efforts that prioritise effective and sustainable solutions.
Hence, as the Federal Government of Somalia advances the implementation of its Security Sector Development Plan to enhance force capabilities, sustained international cooperation and support is crucial to reinforce existing security frameworks, enabling Somalia to effectively address emerging security threats.
Madam President
I am pleased to report remarkable progress in the transition of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali Security Forces.
In line with this Council’s decision on the phased approach to the Phase 3 Drawdown, ATMIS, with the collaboration and support of UNSOS, completed the transfer of six of the eight FOBs designated for handover to the Somali Security Forces.
With the very challenging environmental and infrastructural terrain in some of our areas of operation we continue to work closely with UNSOS to explore possible solutions and we are making notable progress, hoping that the last two FOBs will drawdown by the end of this month.
In the same vein, the Phase 3, Sub-Phase B drawdown of the additional 2,000 ATMIS troops was aligned to the CONOPS of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which directed that it constitutes the Phase 0 of the Post-ATMIS Mission.
This necessitated a pause of the Phase 3b drawdown, which was scheduled for September, to provide planning capacity for the eventual exit of ATMIS on 31 December 2024 and the deployment of the new Mission on 1 January 2025 in a manner that aligns with Somalia’s operational priorities and prevents a security vacuum.
Madam President,
Turning to the post-ATMIS planning.
Transition planning is a complex process integrally tied to the dynamics of national leadership and ownership. In this regard, I commend the Federal Government of Somalia, under the stewardship of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, for assuming full ownership and responsibility for the planning process, by promoting enhanced collaboration and coordination among key stakeholders.
This enabled the formulation of a CONOPS, jointly developed with the Federal Government of Somalia, and inspired by the Somalia Security Development Plan, in line with Somalia’s security needs and the African Union capacity to deliver.
In turn, the CONOPS, which envisages a lean Mission, with a defensive and limited operational mandate, limited in scope and size, and with a clear exit strategy, provided the basis for the integrated mission planning in line with Resolution 2748 (2024).
It is in this regard that the AU and UN Joint Team on the implementation of Resolution 2748 recently deployed to Mogadishu to undertake extensive consultations with the Federal Government of Somalia, ATMIS, UN and various security, stabilisation, and development partners to ensure comprehensive input and support, essential for a cohesive, coherent, flexible and responsive post-ATMIS plan aligned with Somalia’s needs, support structures, anticipated contributions, and sustainable outcomes.
Madam President
Closely linked to this process, are the ongoing efforts to secure predictable, adequate and sustainable financial support to offset ATMIS funding gaps and secure funding for the successor Mission.
Cognizant of the current financial constraints and competing priorities, the African Union adopted a multi-faceted approach to resource mobilisation, focusing on innovative funding sources and partnerships that enhance operational capacity.
Hence, in collaboration with the United Nations, the African Union established a taskforce on the implementation of Resolution 2719. This is supplemented by the decision of the Chairperson of the African Union to designate the African Union High Representative for financing of the Union and the Peace Fund to propose financing options for the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM.
It is in continuation of these efforts that I thank all the partners who have supported the African Union intervention in Somalia, both financially and in-kind, and call for sustained backing to maintain ATMIS, SSF, and UNSOS effectiveness. This will ensure that the ongoing integrated planning for the post-ATMIS Mission, and the ensuing operational plans are adequately funded and resourced to sustainably meet their goals.
Madam President,
As I conclude, I would like to underscore that despite challenges, there are clear opportunities to consolidate and further progress. The next two months, to the end of the year, will be a crucial period for Somalia. They will necessitate collective action and partnership, key to shaping the future of this resilient nation.
In this regard, I remain deeply convinced that the determination of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to build trust and consensus and foster a culture of shared commitment and responsibility with all stakeholders to address emerging issues will be essential to sustain the fight against Al-Shabab and offer the best possible condition for a smooth transition.
I, consequently, call upon this Council to reaffirm its support for Somalia and to continue encouraging sustained international support, including targeted capacity building to national State-building initiatives as Somalia navigates its path towards sustainable peace, stability, and development.
I thank you.