“Somalia’s spot on the Security Council is both a powerful symbol and diplomatic win,” said Virginia-based analyst Abdiqafar Abdi Wardhere. This will boost Somalia’s connections with other member nations.
For the first time in over half a century, he noted, Somalia will cast votes on global conflict resolutions.
“The Security Council alone can make legally binding decisions, including sanctions and force authorizations. Somalia’s vote will influence crucial international decisions,” Wardhere explained.
Announcing the election results, U.N. General Assembly President Dennis Francis stated, “In a secret ballot, the victorious nations secured the needed two-thirds majority from the 193-member General Assembly.”
Following the announcement, the United Nations in Somalia congratulated both the government and the citizens for earning a Security Council seat for 2025-2026.
“Over the past 30 years, Somalia has markedly advanced towards peace, prosperity, and security,” remarked James Swan, U.N. Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative for Somalia. “Securing a seat on the Security Council heralds this significant progress.”
“Drawing from its unique experiences, Somalia can now contribute more profoundly to the Council’s peace and security discussions,” Swan added.
The Security Council’s permanent veto-holding members are the U.S., France, Russia, China, and Britain.
The five freshly elected nations will replace Ecuador, Switzerland, Malta, Mozambique, and Japan, whose terms conclude on December 31.
The new members, including Somalia, will join current non-permanent members like Slovenia, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Korea, Guyana, and Algeria, whose terms began in January.
According to the United Nations, the 10 non-permanent seats on the Security Council are divided among four regional clusters: Africa and Asia; Eastern Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Western Europe and other States.
Endorsed by their regional groups, the fresh members faced minimal opposition.
Margaret Besheer reported this from New York.
