Somalia along with Denmark, Greece, Pakistan and Panama have won non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to serve for two years from January 2025.
Key points
- In a secret ballot, the elected countries secured the required two-thirds majority of Member States present and voting in the 193-member General Assembly.
- It will be the first time Somalia, which descended into civil war more than 30 years ago, has held the position since the 1970s.
- The UNSC determines how the organisation should respond to conflicts around the world. Analysts say Somalia’s battle to bring an end to its turmoil and its fight against Islamist militants will help inform the UN’s decisions.
- There are 10 rotating non-permanent members on the council, along with the five permanent members – the US, the UK, France, China and Russia.
Non-permanent members
- Non-permanent members of the council are allocated by region, but unlike the five permanent members, they do not have the power of veto.
- Under the UN Charter, the 15-member Security Council holds primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and all Member States are obligated to comply with its decisions.
- Each year in June, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members of the Security Council for a two-year term beginning the following January, by established geographical representation.
- Voting is by secret ballot and contesting states must receive a two-thirds majority, even if they are unopposed.
- Any outgoing member is barred from immediate re-election.
