Khaberni - Somalia officially assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council starting from this Thursday, leading the Council's proceedings for the current month of January.
Somalia will preside over the regular and emergency meetings of the Security Council, and the sessions dedicated to discussing issues of international peace and security, during its presidency in accordance with Article 18 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council, which stipulates that members of the Council assume the presidency on a rotational basis according to the alphabetical order of their names in English.
The Somali News Agency (SONA) reported that Somalia's assumption of the Council's presidency is a prominent diplomatic milestone that reflects the growing presence of the Republic on the international stage and its increasing participation in the decision-making mechanisms within the United Nations system, after years of political and security challenges that have impacted its international position.
The agency quoted the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying that "assuming the presidency of the Security Council represents an important opportunity to highlight Somalia's commitment to supporting international peace and security, and readiness to play a constructive leadership role within the UN forums."
The presidency of the United Nations Security Council rotates monthly among the member states, with Somalia's current presidency marking the first in over five decades, indicating the improvement in the country's political stability and enhanced international presence.
The Security Council consists of 15 countries, each with one vote, including 5 permanent members with veto power, which are Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The Council also includes 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms according to the adopted geographical distribution, which, along with Somalia, are Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, Bahrain, as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Latvia, and Colombia.
In an emergency session of the Security Council a few days ago, dedicated to discussing Israel's recognition of the secessionist region of Somaliland, the Somali delegate to the United Nations, Abubakar Osman demanded condemnation and rejection of Israel's attempt to undermine Somalia’s unity.
He stated that his country "categorically rejects any unilateral recognition" of the Somaliland region, and considers the Israeli move a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and international law.
The delegate affirmed that the Israeli action threatens regional and international peace and security, destabilizes the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and called on the Security Council members to "categorically reject any action or declaration that undermines the unity of Somalia or affects its territories."
