Somalia analyst Abdiqafar Abdi Wardhere, based in Virginia, noted that this achievement holds both symbolic and significant diplomatic weight for Somalia.
He emphasised that being part of the Security Council will grant Somalia improved access to member nations.
This marks the first time in over 50 years that Somalia will have a vote in decisions concerning global conflicts.
“The Security Council holds the authority to make legally binding decisions, including imposing sanctions and authorising the use of force.
Therefore, Somalia’s inclusion grants it a vote in shaping global issues and resolutions,” Wardhere emphasised.
U.N. General Assembly President Dennis Francis declared the election results, stating, “The elected countries achieved the necessary two-thirds majority of Member States present and voting in the 193-member General Assembly through a secret ballot.”
The United Nations in Somalia extended congratulations to the Somali government and its citizens “on their country’s successful election to a seat on the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.”
James Swan, the UN Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative for Somalia, remarked, “Somalia has made significant strides over the past three decades towards peace, prosperity, and security.
Securing a seat on the Security Council is a testament to this commendable progress.”
“Somalia’s unique experiences position it to contribute significantly to Council deliberations on international peace and security,” Swan emphasized.
The Security Council’s permanent veto-wielding members include Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
The five newly elected countries will replace Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms end on December 31.
Somalia and the other newly elected members will join the existing non-permanent members Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms started in January.
As per the United Nations, the Security Council’s 10 non-permanent seats are divided into four regional groups: Africa and Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Western European and other States group.
The recently elected members received endorsements from their respective regional groups and encountered little resistance during the election proceedings.