Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UNSC Briefing on the situation in Somalia

Check against delivery

Mr. President,

At the outset I’d like to welcome the outcome of the London Conference on Somalia on May 11. The Security Pact and the New Partnership Agreement between the international community and Somalia should be seen as a genuine roadmap for donor countries to support Somalia’s progress in a number of areas defined as priorities by the Federal Government.

We hope that implementation of these documents will accelerate Somalia’s progress to lasting peace and prosperity by 2020.

At a time when over 6 million of Somalis are in need of assistance due to malnutrition and food insecurity, with more than 1 million at risk of starvation, it is critical to scale up humanitarian response to the ongoing drought.

At the same time, we are deeply concerned that Al-Shabaab continues to exploit the drought to promote its own objectives and restrict humanitarian access to those in need in areas under its control.

Ukraine strongly condemns the recent attacks by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, including the May 9 attack on the Somali National Army base in the district of Goofgaduud in Baidoa, in which at least 13 people were killed. In this regard, improving security through reform and strengthening of the Somali security architecture, embracing both army and police, is vital for preventing the relapse of the country into an open conflict and for enabling its broader political and economic development.

Mindful of the gravity of the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, we express our continued support to the joint efforts and cooperation between AMISOM and the Somali National Army in their campaign to fight terrorism.

With respect to AMISOM’s achievements in ensuring security in the country, we support conditions-based transition from AMISOM to Somali security forces, including implementation of security sector reforms, as set out in the Security Pact. We are looking forward to recommendations of UN-AU review of AMISOM ahead of its mandate renewal in July this year.

Another sector that requires special attention and consolidated efforts of all actors in Somalia and the international community is political process. Further progress in this area is essential to building up a more inclusive, federal and democratic state.

We fully agree with the Secretary-General’s call on both the Federal Government and the Parliament to advance the constitutional review, which is critical for ensuring effective and clear power sharing among political players, improving interaction among federal member states and, equally important, achieving a “one-person, one-vote” system at the next elections.

The strengthening of local governance should be also considered as a matter of high priority. Reconciliation and establishment of an inclusive administration in Galmudug is a crucial part of this reform, as well as an important step on the path to a successful conclusion of the electoral process in the country. Therefore, we urge all parties to continue the dialogue aimed at achieving reconciliation, holding inclusive elections and establishing a broad-based administration of the Galmudug State.

We commend the work by AMISOM and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia in supporting peace and reconciliation, advancing the state building process and promoting human rights in Somalia.

To conclude, let me touch upon the recommendations for review of the United Nations presence in Somalia after the 2016 electoral process. We share the position of the UN Secretary-General that in next phase the United Nations should support the Somali-led political and state-building processes. In our view, UNSOM should be maintained and continue its work with a focus on strengthening and capacity building of all Somali regional and local authorities.

I thank you, Mr. President.