Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Somalia

I thank Acting SRSG James Swan, SRCC El-Amine Souef, and Ms. Ilwad Elman for their informative briefings. I welcome the participation of H.E. Mr. Ahmed Moallin Fiqi Ahemd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia. 　
 
Madam President,
 
Despite continued national and international efforts against them, Al-Shabaab maintains its substantial presence and remains a formidable threat to the human security of the people of Somalia and the region. Japan pays tribute to all the personnel of ATMIS and the Somali Security Forces for their sacrifice for peace and security.
 
The recent attacks in major cities including Mogadishu demonstrate that Al-Shabab can still launch major asymmetrical attacks against various targets.

It also reminds us all that it is an arduous and time-consuming process to contain the threat they pose. We must uphold a long-term perspective and a comprehensive approach based on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus. This is all the more necessary during the critical transition time of UNSOM and ATMIS.
 
From that perspective, the proposal from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) last month presented a reasonable two-year transition period from UNSOM to the UN Country Team with a phased handover of responsibilities to Somali institutions. As the proposal rightly mentioned, a focus in the transition should be capacity- and institution-building under Somali-led and Somali-owned governance reform. We should not lose the hard-won gains and expertise including with regards to DDR and WPS in order to ensure a gradual, responsible and sustainable transition.
 
One of the major functions UNSOM has played for Somali state-building is the provision of good offices to build cooperative relations between the FGS and the Federal Member States.    Divisions deriving from various factors including clan dynamics could create a vacuum to be exploited by Al-Shabaab at a moment when solidarity in Somalia is most needed. We commend the FGS leadership for steering the National Consultative Council using a consensus-based approach to critical national agendas.
UNSOM should continue to work to prevent division and forge unity among stakeholders by being an active promoter of confidence building measures even during its transition.
 
Madam President,
 
We welcome the region-led ongoing deliberation on the post-ATMIS security configuration with an AU-led mission and look forward to hearing updates next week. Whatever that configuration looks like, regional cooperation, especially support from the neighboring ATMIS troop contributing countries, is essential for success in the Somali security transition. There should be no room for regional tensions to give breathing space for Al-Shabaab. Any regional conflicts must be addressed through constructive dialogues in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.
 
Japan remains committed to contribute together with all our partners to the collective endeavor of advancing sustainable peace and stability in Somalia and the region. 
 
I thank you.