At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud urged the global community to take immediate and decisive action to address the escalating crisis in Gaza.
He stressed that the ongoing violence and humanitarian suffering demand urgent attention and a renewed commitment to achieving peace.
During his address at the 80th session of the UNGA, President Hassan Sheik criticized the world’s drift away from international law, warning that reliance on brute force to settle disputes poses a significant threat.
He framed the Palestinian struggle as a moral challenge for the international community, asserting that the two-state solution is the only viable path to enduring peace in the Middle East.
President Hassan positioned Somalia as a frontline state in global security, advocating for fairness in international governance.
His remarks echoed the sentiments of several leaders at the UNGA, who cautioned that the credibility of the global system is at risk if situations like Gaza remain unresolved.
The Somali leader expressed unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, describing the ongoing bombardment, displacement, and deprivation in Gaza as intolerable.
He called for a permanent ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access, emphasizing that the crisis necessitates collective responsibility from all nations.
By aligning Somalia’s stance with many developing countries, he highlighted the growing frustration within the Global South regarding the lack of progress toward Palestinian statehood.
His comments firmly positioned Somalia among those advocating for a transition from rhetoric to concrete action at the UN.
“Somalia remains deeply concerned by the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. The ongoing violence, displacement, and deprivation faced in the occupied territories including Gaza demand our collective conscience and urgent action.
We call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and renewed commitment towards the two-state solution as the only viable path for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” president Mohamud said in his speech.
Highlighting Somalia’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in June 2024, Somalia’s head of state asserted that his country is actively collaborating with both council members and the broader UN to seek solutions not only in the Middle East but also across Africa and Europe.
He reiterated Mogadishu’s intent to enhance its diplomatic influence, positioning itself as a proponent of peace and multilateralism, despite facing its own domestic challenges.
Turning to internal matters, President Hassan sheik Mohamud discussed Somalia’s ongoing battle against Al-Shabab and Daacish. He emphasized that Somalia is on the frontline of the fight against extremism, linking progress at home to global security efforts. While acknowledging the support of international partners, he particularly praised Somali forces and local defense groups for their resilience and sacrifices.
The president explained that the government is dismantling extremist networks through military operations and by targeting the financial systems that sustain these groups.
“Somalia’s struggle is not merely a national issue but part of a broader initiative to secure stability in regions plagued by terrorism” President Hassan stated
In his address, Mohamud called for structural reforms within the UN, highlighting the glaring absence of African representation among the permanent members of the Security Council.
He described this situation as an “undeniable injustice,” noting that while many discussions revolve around Africa, the continent’s 54 sovereign nations lack permanent representation. Excluding Africa, he argued, is unjust and outdated, asserting that true multilateralism requires a permanent voice for the continent at the table.
