Somalia is at risk of losing hard-earned gains, the Security Council has heard

“While there are many challenges and risks ahead, there are also many opportunities, and I urge all international partners to input and provide additional support to the people,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia Catriona Laing.

Regarding the current security situation, Ms. Laing, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), raised concerns about terrorist attacks and violence, including in Laascaanoodthe capital of the Sool region, which lies between “Somaliland” and Puntland.

Clashes there between the “Somaliland” forces and the local Dhulbahante clan’s forces continue at different levels of intensity, causing serious injuries, destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of civilians, according to the report of the Secretary General of UN new on the situation.

Until today, it has been 308 civil oblivionwith 36 people killed and 272 injured, he said.

Praising the efforts of all parties and the Security Council to bring about a ceasefire, he pledged UNSOM’s support to the peaceful path forward.

Catriona Laing, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, briefed the Security Council.

The benefits we do

Different reporting positive political developmentit highlighted the Government’s “significant progress” in advancing the country’s key priorities, including the electoral process, and its leadership in the fight against terrorism.

Efforts have removed terrorist groups from parts of the country “but, Al Shabaab remains in serious danger,” Ms. Laing warned, referring to a movement of attacksincluding the deadly incident at the Pearl Beach Hotel in early June.

“The first three months of 2023 also saw the highest number of explosive device attacks since 2017,” he said.

More support is needed

Ongoing stabilization operations related to Al Shabaab will require support, he said, adding that UNSOM has stepped up its response in this regard.

“The challenge is the sustainability of these benefits,” he added.

Efforts to stabilize areas reclaimed from terrorist groups will require ongoing security, basic services, reconciliation, and long-term political and state-building strategies, he said.

Description a three-phase transition planhe said that the winning drive is in the security sector, which must be considered alongside plans for the possible withdrawal of the UN Support Center in Somalia (UNSOS) and the eventual submission of UNSOM to the UN Country Team.

Going forward, he outlined priorities for the remainder of 2023, which include a leading role for UNSOM in facilitating international regional efforts on stabilizing the country, supporting the state-building process, and resolving the conflict in Laascaanood.

Living conditions

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation is “unacceptable”, he said. While the current operation against Al Shabaab has contributed to improving security, he said that from January to March, 430,000 people have been displaced by violence and 580,000 people live in areas controlled by non-State armed actors.

In addition, climate shocks are becoming more frequent, and women still need appropriate representation in the political, peace, and security fields, she warned.

“Their representation needs to be codified,” he said, referring to Somalia’s failure to fulfill its commitment to ensure 30 percent of women are represented in federal elections.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Program, briefed members of the Security Council on the situation in Somalia.

Food insecurity

Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) Cindy McCain, said violence and instability The country’s poverty has destroyed much of the infrastructure needed to support food production and distribution.

“Somalia has been pulled back from the abyss of famine in 2022 because the international community saw the red flashing warning signs and rushed to respond,” he said. “But, now we are in danger of losing the precious gains we have made since those dark days last year.”

Remembering a recent country visit, he said violence, fear, and hunger “are a daily reality there”with the mothers he spoke to destroy all the herds of cattle that are being destroyed by fire and terrorist groups that are recruiting children as young as 11 years old.

The emergency is developing

Since the beginning of 2022, conflict has caused more than one million internal displacements, and climate disasters have caused a further 2.1 million displacements in the past three years, he said.

The latest food safety data shows that Food insecurity is rampant across Somaliawith more than 6.6 million people – a third of the population – expected to face crisis or worst levels of hunger, with 40,000 people fighting for survival in choice-like conditions.

Even worse, 1.8 million children are expected to suffer malnutrition by 2023, he said.

Demonstrating an action plan to address the important and the emergency grewHe said that joint efforts must ensure that aid deliveries are safe, with the Security Council leading to the protection of unimpeded humanitarian access to all vulnerable areas in Somalia.

Violent vicious cycle

In addition, Food aid must be matched with investments to rebuild lives, strengthen resilience, and support climate adaptation systemhe said.

It invites member countries to immediately contribute to the country’s humanitarian response systemwhich is seriously underfunded.

“At WFP, we are forced to reduce our rescue aid programs, when they are most needed,” he said, adding that the agency had, in April, reduced aid to 3 million from the 4.7 million people it serves each month.

“Without an immediate cash injection, we will have to cut the distribution list again in July to just 1.8 million per month,” he said, stressing that with the requested funding, WFP will “reverse these life-threatening cuts” and continue supporting the millions who depend on the agency for survival.

He said these ““Proven solutions” are the only way to finally break the cycle of violence. of hunger and poverty.

“We all have to work together to find political solutions to create stability and peace in Somalia,” he said. “This is what the tired Somali people want and need, above all.”

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