Ambassador Robert Wood
Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs
New York, New York
November 15, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States is pleased to vote in favor to extend the ATMIS and UNSOS mandate during this important time in Somalia. We appreciate the constructive efforts of our UK colleagues to lead the Security Council in agreeing to this resolution.
We accept the necessity of delaying the second ATMIS troop reduction from September 30 to December 31, 2023, but we are concerned that slow progress in meeting mandate objectives over the past year will hamper completing the transition by the end of 2024. FGS and ATMIS coordination are vital and ATMIS troop reductions must be based on operational necessity, taking into account changes to the security situation, and strategic planning by the FGS and AU.
As a result of today’s adoption of the resolution, ATMIS will continue reducing the threat posed by al-Shabaab and continue supporting the development of an integrated Somali security force capable of assuming progressively greater security responsibility.
We recognize and honor the sacrifices by ATMIS and Somali security forces in the pursuit of peace and security in Somalia.
We applaud the increased focus by the Somali federal government on the fight against al-Shabaab led by the Somali people, the Somali federal member states, and the Somali federal government. Continued progress toward a Somalia-led security sector as it relates to the transition from ATMIS is needed.
We observe that on hard-won security gains and some set-backs have highlighted the urgency of ensuring current and future operations are based on clear objectives, timelines, and resource requirements.
We look forward to the Somali-led security conference on December 12th in New York. This presents an important opportunity to review plans for the ATMIS transition, address the al-Shaabab threat, and identify Somalia’s specific security requirements beyond 2024.
We urge the international community to continue to work with Somalia to support the development of a truly integrated Somali security sector – the key element of a sustainable transition of security responsibilities envisioned by this resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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