Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, emphasizing the need for a resolution to the Palestinian crisis. He stated that Somalia stands firmly with the Palestinian people and their legitimate right to self-determination and statehood. Mohamud reaffirmed his country's support for a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution with an independent and viable Palestinian state along the 1967 borders.
Mohamud warned that the world faces uncertainty amid escalating political, military, and climate crises. He called on the UN to reform and improve to better serve the needs of the world's most vulnerable. The Somali President emphasized that trust in the UN won't be restored through declarations alone, but through institutions that act constitutionally, uphold international law, and produce tangible results.
The Somali President highlighted the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz as a threat not only to his country but also to the rest of the region. He noted that disruptions in the strait have serious economic and humanitarian consequences for Somalia, an import-dependent country reliant on the Middle East for much of its food, fuel, and trade. Mohamud stressed that ensuring free and fair navigation through the strait is essential to protecting vulnerable economies like Somalia.
Mohamud also raised climate change as a profound concern for his government and others. He stated that the climate crisis continues to destroy lives, livelihoods, and public infrastructure, particularly across the developing world. According to the UN, over 40 percent of the global population is vulnerable to the destructive effects of climate change, and governments in developing countries spend over 10 percent of their GDP to respond to this.
As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Mohamud called for reform of the body, which has failed to provide African representation despite the continent's various conflicts over the years. He emphasized that the UNSC "must become more representative, transparent and effective" and that Africa remains unrepresented in the permanent category. Mohamud supported the common African position and meaningful representation in both categories of the council.
Mohamud noted that Somalia has played an outsized role in maintaining international security in its fight against organized terrorist groups in East Africa. He stated that his country continues to confront international terrorism with determination and with the support of international partners. Mohamud called for predictable, sustainable support for Somalia's security transition, including adequate financing for an African Union mission in Somalia.
Mohamud concluded his address by emphasizing the need for UN assistance in Somalia to be better organized and coordinated to allow the government to lead its own development. He stated that Somalia is not calling for the UN to withdraw but for a more accountable, strategic, and result-oriented partnership where Somali institutions are in the lead when it comes to implementation. Mohamud also highlighted the importance of political progress and reform, including constitutional reform, to lay the foundations of universal suffrage and a multi-party system.
Key points
- Somalia reaffirms support for Palestinian statehood at UN General Assembly
- Somali President calls for reform of UN Security Council
- Somalia seeks more accountable and strategic partnership with UN for development
