LONDON: Somalia’s president emphasized on Thursday his country’s commitment to eradicating terrorism, and working collectively to achieve a “just and lasting” peace in Palestine and the broader Middle East.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud lamented that “instead of seeking to strengthen existing and future partnerships and enhancing social solidarity,” countries worldwide are increasingly engaged in “adverse competition and increasing governance uncertainty.”
He added: “We’re witnessing the unapologetic rise of national might to settle disputes. This is a truly dark and dangerous path that threatens the hard-won, rules-based international order.”
Mohamud voiced Somalia’s “deep concern” over the suffering of the Palestinian people, adding: “The ongoing violence, displacement and deprivation in the Occupied Territories, including Gaza, demand urgent actions.”
He called for a ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian access, and a renewed commitment to the two-state solution “as the only viable path for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East today.”
Drawing on his country’s own history of overcoming conflict, Mohamud said: “Somalia is evidence that multilateralism and global solidarity can make the world a better, safer and progressive place.”
Recent reports revealed that the Boston Consulting Group modeled plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Somalia, acting on behalf of Israeli businessmen seeking to redevelop the enclave. Somalia has firmly rejected any such proposal.
Turning to his country’s fight against terrorism, Mohamud said: “At home, we’re bravely fighting the last remaining pockets of international terrorism while building a strong and sustainable national security architecture.
“We’re working closely with all our valuable international partners in defeating the violence, extremism, ideology, falsehoods and illicit financial systems that facilitate global terrorism.”
Underscoring the critical need for international cooperation to address the escalating climate crisis, Mohamud said: “Climate change is elevating havoc across the world, with the most vulnerable countries suffering systemic and consecutive methodological and socioeconomic shocks.”
He added that his government has implemented a series of initiatives to both support climate transition and protect people and the ecosystem, but that such efforts come at a cost for public services such as education and healthcare.
“Nations on the front line like Somalia can’t be left to face this crisis alone, unsupported by the dominant global financial architecture, which isn’t fit for the purpose in this age of great challenge.”
