New York, NY(Mogadishu24)-Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s Foreign Minister and Minister of International Cooperation, traveled to New York on Monday to advocate for Somalia’s candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. This move comes ahead of the upcoming elections for Security Council membership, scheduled for June 6 during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

Somalia aims to highlight its extensive experience in counterterrorism and violent extremism, emphasizing the importance of addressing these global challenges. The country intends to share its national counterterrorism efforts and draw attention to terrorism and violent extremism issues across Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.

Somalia, which hosts the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), is actively engaged in a military campaign against Al-Shabaab. This terrorist group has been designated under the Council’s 2713 sanctions regime. The country’s counterterrorism initiatives and ongoing efforts to combat extremist threats underscore its capability to contribute significantly to the Security Council’s agenda.

In addition to terrorism, rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over Somaliland—a self-proclaimed republic in Somalia’s northern region—were a topic of closed consultations among Council members earlier this year. This geopolitical issue further accentuates the importance of Somalia’s presence on the Security Council, where it can offer unique insights and perspectives.

The UN General Assembly will elect five new members to the Security Council for 2024. The seats available for election are distributed as follows:

• One seat for the African Group, currently held by Mozambique;
• One seat for the Asia-Pacific Group, currently held by Japan;
• One seat for the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), currently held by Ecuador;
• Two seats for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), currently held by Malta and Switzerland.

Minister Fiqi’s visit to New York is part of a broader diplomatic effort to secure support for Somalia’s bid, aiming to enhance the country’s role in international peace and security.