Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on the situation in Somalia
Mme. President,
We thank Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia; Mr. Mohammed El-Amine Souef, Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS); and Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women for their insights.
We closely follow the developments in the Federal Republic of Somalia, where the domestic security situation remains complicated, terrorist threat persists at a high level, and deep-reaching territorial and clan-based fragmentation of the society can be clearly seen.
Termination of the protracted electoral cycle last year created favorable prerequisites for recovery of state institutions, progressive advancement of national reconciliation and improvement of situation with security. We count on all participants of the Somali peace process, including leadership of Puntland and Somaliland, to continue joint efforts to elaborate a sustainable federal model. This being said, we always proceed from the necessity of maintaining territorial integrity and unity of Somalia.
We consistently support the efforts of official Mogadishu aimed at domestic political stabilization. We note the intensification of the work of the National Consultative Council, within the framework of which federal leadership and the states reached agreements on cooperation in the implementation of major national projects. We commend the signing of an agreement on distribution of authorities between the federal center and leaders of Somali states. At the same time, we see that humanitarian situation is complicated throughout the country. Most people remain on the verge of famine, which is expected to peak in April-June this year unless humanitarian support is provided at the required level.
Mme.President,
Situation with security in Somalia still raises much concern. Al-Shabaab extremist group keeps attacking governmental facilities, military units, as well as civilians and personnel of international organizations in cities, especially the capital district and Lower Shabelle. On 23 January rebels opened fire on a helicopter of Russian UTair - Helicopter Services JSC which provides air transport to the UN humanitarian mission in Somalia. We are aware that Somali National Army with support from local militias carried out a series of successful offensive operations in Galmudug and Hirshabelle, which liberated several populated areas from Al-Shabaab’s presence. Federal authorities also facilitated settlement in the South-West State. The confrontation that has flared up in Sool, the dispute area at the border of Somaliland and Puntland, raises serious concern. We hope that this conflict situation will soon be resolved.
In this context, we attach great importance to activities of African peacekeepers from ATMIS who play the key role in combating terrorism and ensuring internal security. Their presence is one of the central factors for deterrence of extremist and other illicit activities in Somalia, and a prerequisite for progressive movement towards strengthening of Somali statehood.
We positively assess the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). We note efforts of Somalia’s neighboring states who provide assistance at the counter-terrorism track. We welcome the regional summit that took place in Mogadishu on 1 February bringing together the leaders of Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Ethiopia, where a number of agreements were signed with a view to bolstering joint action against Al-Shabaab extremist group.
Mme.President,
At this point, as a priority, we need to focus efforts on enhancement of effectiveness of Somali federal enforcement bodies so they can control the situation by themselves. By the moment ATMIS concludes its work, Somalis need to be able to take over responsibility for security throughout Somalia’s entire national territory.
Thank you.
