I am grateful to the Council and the Secretary-General for giving me the floor. I am delighted to be here with HE Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Prime Minister of Somalia, whose constant support for the UN is deeply appreciated.

As I end my assignment at the end of the year, I wish to take this, my final opportunity, to thank the Council for its unstinting support over the last two and a half years. Without it, Somalia would not have progressed as it has.

In 2013 there was hope in the air, but also anxiety. The mountain to climb was steep. As Somalia inches towards 2016, I believe we should recognize what is going well, reflect on why it is working and what we should learn, and set out clearly the challenges ahead.

Mr President

Somalia is well advanced in its political and security transformation from failed to recovering state. When UNSOM started in 2013 the Federal Government was corralled in Mogadishu. Across the rest of the country was a patchwork of different local power-holding arrangements, with no tangible link to Mogadishu, little in the way of governance institutions and with many entire districts under the control of Al Shabaab.

Today a new Somalia with a new political map is emerging. Three new Federal Member States will shortly join Puntland as foundation stones of the new Federal Somalia. The fifth will be formed from Hiraan and Middle Shabelle and, while recognizing important recent progress, I urge swift conclusion of that process. I also urge continued progress on the national consultations leading to an electoral process in 2016 that will be conducted on time and be more inclusive than in 2012.

We should never forget that political progress has only been made possible by the sacrifices of the Somali National Army and AMISOM forces. The SNA faces huge challenges, and needs to improve its capabilities and its organization. But the Council’s support for it, and for AMISOM, has been vital. Since 2013 fourteen districts, including strategically important ports, have been recovered from Al Shabaab.

Today there is intense interchange between Mogadishu and the regions on political, economic and technical issues. Almost daily we help Somali delegations fly across this largely road-less country –the size of France. In each of the emerging federal member states, there is a government, an assembly and an agreed charter.

Increasingly Somalis see government closer to them, more able to deliver for the people and be held to account by them. There is still a long way to go in terms of service delivery, rule of law and inclusive politics. But I shall never tire of saying that – at last – Somalia is facing the problems of a country coming together rather than falling apart.

Mr President

I believe we should recognise some other significant achievements – each is a collective achievement by Somalis and the international community. It is now more than three years since pirates seized a major commercial ship off the coast of Somalia.

The UNDP has helped state institutions to start delivering a range of services, and with the World Bank, is establishing a professional civil service. In 2014 early warning by OCHA, led to early action and Somalia avoided repeating the devastating famine of 2011.

In 2015 for the first time in a quarter of a century, the UNHCR began a programme to assist thousands of refugees to return voluntarily to Somalia. Last month, two years after polio erupted again in Somalia, the WHO declared Somalia polio-free.

In 2014 Somalia exported a record number of livestock – and it is no coincidence that FAO the same year vaccinated a record number of animals. Schools across Somalia are re-opening, teachers being trained and paid through a UNICEF-backed programme. Enormous challenges remain. Social and economic progress so far is a drop in the ocean, but it is progress.

Mr President

Why are things progressing and what should we learn? This is not the moment for detailed analysis, but let me highlight five key elements in Somalia’s success. First and foremost is the common agreement to put political state-building at the heart of everything, Somali owned and Somali led. Secondly, creative approaches and partnerships have been key – not only as enshrined in the New Deal, but also in the unique UN-AU-EU-IGAD partnership.

Thirdly, the courage and commitment of the AU forces in AMISOM. Fourthly, a truly integrated UN delivering as one. And finally, you, the Security Council: your unity and your willingness to innovate and to trust. Thank you.

Mr President

While thanking partners and the Council for what they have done, it may not surprise you if I also ask for more. Somalia has to compete for attention and resources in an ever more troubled world. But scaling back now will crush the hopes of millions of Somalis, endanger peace and security in the Horn of Africa and East Africa, bolster violent extremism globally and risk a renewed exodus of refugees.

Reducing effort should not be an option. Collectively we need absolutely to do more and better on three things: local community recovery and development in areas recovered from Al Shabaab; supporting economic recovery nationwide to help the seven out of every ten Somalis under the age of 35 to find jobs; and thirdly, a more comprehensive approach to Al Shabaab to engage those who truly wish to join a Somali-led political, state-building project.

These are the future actions that will lock-in the political and security success to date. Your decision today to establish an enhanced UN Support Office is vital for the next phase.

Mr President

While rightly looking back and forward, we should be somberly realistic about the present. The plight of millions of Somalis is a calamity and an indictment. The vast majority continue to suffer abject poverty, displacement, insecurity, and predatory corruption, with little rule of law or respect for human rights. Somali resilience is legendary. But even the most resilient may buckle in the end. In all conscience Somalia’s leaders and international partners need to do more rather than less.

Delivering humanitarian and development progress in the short term, especially given the impact of El Nino, will be hard. OCHA is working flat-out to ensure the right response.

2016 will be a year of heightened political tensions: a bumpy, adrenaline-fueled ride. Al Shabaab will do everything they can to disrupt federalism and the electoral process. Somalia’s leaders need to reconcile competing demands and strive to place the national interest above personal or community interests. International partners need to stay the course, be united, respect Somali ownership but be crystal clear on their expectation that Somalis need to agree the rules for the 2016 electoral process and then stick to them.

Mr President

My final words are ones of thanks – not only to the Security Council and the Secretary-General for giving me the honour to serve in Somalia, and to my team who work tirelessly in austere and dangerous conditions, but also to the President and Prime Minister and people of Somalia for their hospitality and patience. I thank the African Union for their constant partnership and welcome the new Special Representative of the Chair of the African Union, Ambassador Madeira.

My final thoughts are with the family and friends of the seven UN colleagues murdered in the line of duty in Somalia since 2013. The most fitting tribute we can pay them is to redouble our work for peace. I salute and thank the whole UN family in Somalia for their service, comradeship and courage.

ARAABINEWS.COM