Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in Somalia
Mme. President,
We listened carefully to the briefing of Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on the outcomes of her visit of the region, and to the insights of Somali civil society representative Ms.Shukria Dini.
Deputy SG Mohammed, we appreciate the important signal that your visit sent to the political forces of Somalia regarding the need to overcome the existing disputes and terminate the protracted electoral process on time.
We welcome that during your visit you paid attention to increasing women’s involvement in the Somali political life, in particular to implementing the obligation according to which the share of women in the future composition of the federal parliament must stand at no less than 30 %.
We could make sure of that i.a. thanks to the very detailed press release about your trip that the UN Secretariat issued last week. We believe that obligations related to the 30 % quota have a national character and were adopted by Somalis themselves. We trust they will be able to meet this quota by themselves, once given some time and favorable conditions (political, socio-economic, and related to security).
Here in the Security Council we need to be guided by the political reality in the country and set priorities in a right way. We assume that the Council has already sent all the needed signals in its press statement dated 18 September.
Mme.President,
The main task of Somalis for the short term is completion of national elections. Unfortunately, the federal authorities had to reschedule the previously agreed dates against the backdrop of domestic political destabilization. Now the electoral prospect can be expected to conclude no sooner that at the end of November.
Besides, it is important to prevent further degradation of the security situation, which is already rather critical. Despite additional measures enforced by the Somali federal government in order to prevent terrorist attacks, “Al-Shabaab” carries on with thoroughly planned attacks that use asymmetrical methods of fight against the governmental forces and AMISOM contingent. Among the recent cases was the vehicle explosion near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Saturday, 25 September, that claimed lives of at least 10 people.
We expect the UN Secretary-General, the African Union, and Somalia itself to articulate proposals as to parameters of further presence of AU peacekeeping mission in the country, as stipulated in UNSC resolution 2568.
Humanitarian situation in Somalia remains complicated. According to the recent data, the number of people in need of food assistance and social care has reached almost 6 million. Approximately 4 million people are exposed to especially great risks. The number of refugees and IDPs is growing.
Deputy SG Mohammed, since it falls within your area of responsibility to render assistance in the area of development to states, we trust that such work regarding Somalia will be continued and enhanced.
Thank you.
