Ambassador Kelly Craft
Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
October 28, 2020
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Ambassador Kridelka, for your briefing. I really appreciate the stewardship that you have shown on this Committee.
The United States appreciates the wealth of information that has been briefed to the Committee by the Panel of Experts and the representatives from UNODC and OCHA in the past 120 days.
The United States remains focused on limiting the ability of al-Shabaab to conduct attacks against civilians, and is committed to partnering with Member States to utilize the 751 Somalia sanctions regime to its full extent. This effort includes technical assistance and capacity building to counter the financing of terrorism and the threat of IEDs.
The United States is encouraged to hear that the Panel and the Federal Government of Somalia have enhanced cooperation and information sharing in order to support a constructive working relationship and enable the Panel to successfully fulfill its mandate.
Addressing the ongoing al-Shabaab threat requires close cooperation between the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali private sector, and international partners in order to disrupt their sources of financing. We are encouraged to learn this cooperation has been gaining momentum.
We urge Member States to support ongoing Committee measures, sanctions designations, and to renew and implement fully Resolution 2498, which outlines the arms embargo provisions and imposes an IED components ban.
The United States recognizes the challenges posed to peace and stability in Somalia, which are further compounded by the spread of COVID-19. We must continue to work together to employ all available tools to promote peace and security in Somalia and the region, and to ensure a better future for all Somalis.
Thank you so much.
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