Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Somalia - February 22nd, 2023

Thank you, Madam President.

I thank Deputy Special Representative Kiki Gbeho, Ambassador El-Amine Souef, and Ms. Sima Sami Bahous for their briefings.

I welcome Ambassador Dahir Osman and the Somalia representatives to this meeting.

On behalf of Brazil, I would like to express our appreciation for the work of the African Union Transition Mission.

I also thank Troop and Police-Contributing Countries that enable ATMIS and the United Nations Assistance Mission.

Let me also thank Ambassador James Swan for his leadership in charge of UNSOM.

Madam President,

We are worried about the figures provided in the Secretary-General’s report indicating that Somalia has recorded a significant increase in civilian casualties in 2022.

The high lethality of some of the attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab during the reporting period is another extremely concerning fact.

Nevertheless, I would like to underscore our satisfaction with the achievement of progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab, especially the dislodging of the group from several areas in some Somali states.

We commend the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States and all relevant partners that are working together to address this threat.

Madam President,

For those achievements to have a lasting effect, it is essential to design and implement sound peacebuilding initiatives.

Brazil has repeatedly emphasized the Peacebuilding Commission’s unique position in the United Nations system as it could play a bigger role in Somalia.

The Peacebuilding Fund also finances invaluable projects in the country.

We commend the implementation of the National Security Architecture and encourage Somalia to double its efforts on that front.

We also note with appreciation how reconciliation initiatives have been integral to the recovered territories.

Madam President,

Brazil stands ready to keep its engagement in the ATMIS’ reconfiguration and the security transition that is taking place across Somali institutions.

We hope the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States keep the recent pattern of regular National Consultative Council meetings.

Above all, we encourage the sustained dialogue among Somalia’s leaders to address the most pressing national priorities.

Madam President,

The serious humanitarian situation in Somalia demands attention from the Council.

The Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Somali Red Crescent Society, and all the humanitarian agencies that provide vital assistance in Somalia have issued clear warnings on this crisis in the past months.

With the projections of more than eight million in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023, we should work towards scaling-up assistance in an improved and sustained way in order to prevent famine.

Forced displacement has hit Somali women and children the hardest.

Therefore, we should also address the protection gaps and inequities that the current humanitarian crisis aggravated.

Chiefly among these responses is the implementation of gender-inclusive humanitarian efforts.

Such kind of assistance would enable a safer environment for the women and children who suffer disproportionately from the current tragic situation.

We thus endorse the appeal made by UNSOM on the matter.

Somali women deserve bolder assistance from the international community and the humanitarian partners to lead the way not only to overcoming the current crisis but also to rebuilding their communities afterwards.

Thank you.