Statement by H.E. Mr. Motohide Yoshikawa

Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

At the Briefing of the United Nations Security Council

On “the Situation in Somalia”

19 April 2016

Security Council Chamber

 

 

          I would like to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this timely meeting in the presence of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia.  I would like to express my appreciation to His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for joining us today in the Security Council and commend his leadership.  I also thank His Excellency for his very forceful presentation.  Let me also join others to thank Mr. Michael Keating and Ambassador Téte António for their informative briefings.

 

Mr. President,

 

          After long endeavors, Somalia is at last moving toward state-building.  This year is especially crucial for the political transition process in Somalia.  Successful implementation of the electoral process is a test case.

 

          Japan welcomes the decision by the Federal Government of Somalia on an electoral model for 2016, based on inclusive Somali-led discussions.  We are also delighted at the very encouraging news on the National Leadership Forum (NLF) on 12 April, where the detailed structures and modalities of the electoral process were agreed among the Somali leaders.  It is now important to deliver the electoral process in August as expected.  We call on all parties of Somalia to engage constructively toward this end. 

 

          There is an urgent need to make progress on the completion of the state formation and constitutional review processes and on the political road map to realize “one person, one vote elections” by 2020.  We look forward to the Constitutional Conference in May producing a positive outcome.  The Security Council should continue to do all that it can, and Japan fully supports the adoption of Resolution 2275 (2016) which extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) until the end of March next year.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Turning to the security aspect, Al-Shabaab still remains a major threat.  Japan strongly condemns all terrorist attacks, and pays tribute to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army for their work under harsh conditions on the ground. 

 

          In order to prevent Al-Shabaab from making further gains, we believe it is crucial that offensive operations against Al-Shabaab are carried out in an even more closely coordinated manner.  We welcome the holding of the recent Summit of the Troop and Police Contributing Countries of AMISOM, as well as the commitment to improving coordination within AMISOM, as a step in this direction. 

 

          Security sector reform is also important.  A coordinated integration of regional forces in the Somali National Army will make joint operations with AMISOM more effective.  Extending basic policing services across the country including in the liberated areas is equally important.  So is capacity-building for the maritime police force.  We welcome President Hassan Sheikh’s commitments to push forward these reforms.

 

Mr. President,

 

          Somalia’s state-building efforts must be Somali-led but at the same time be supported by the international community.

 

          For its part, Japan has recently provided additional assistance of 38.5 million USD, which will be implemented by various UN Agencies.  This assistance will be used for state-building in Somalia, in enhancing basic social services, strengthening the capacity of security sector, and vitalizing the economy.  Assistance for tackling the challenges that I mentioned today is included, such as support for the establishment of national electoral commission and the strengthening of the police force.  They will be implemented by UNSOM and UNDP.  Let me conclude by reaffirming Japan’s strong commitment in assisting Somalia at this crucial juncture.

 

          I thank you, Mr. President.