Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the international community to act decisively to end the crisis in Gaza, telling the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that the violence and humanitarian suffering demand immediate attention and a renewed commitment to peace.
In his address at the 80th session of the UNGA on Thursday, Mohamud said the world has drifted from the principles of international law toward a more dangerous reliance on raw power to resolve disputes. He framed the plight of Palestinians as a moral test for the global community, calling the two-state solution the only realistic path toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
Mohamud positioned his country as both a frontline state in global security and an advocate for fairness in international governance.
His intervention added to the chorus of leaders at the UNGA warning that the credibility of the international system is at stake if crises such as Gaza remain unresolved.
Focus on Gaza and Palestine
Mohamud underscored Somalia’s solidarity with Palestine, describing the continuing bombardment, displacement, and deprivation in Gaza as intolerable. He pressed for a permanent ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access, stressing that the crisis requires urgent, collective responsibility from all nations.
By aligning Somalia’s position with that of many developing nations, he signalled the growing frustration across the Global South over the lack of progress in addressing Palestinian statehood. His remarks placed Somalia firmly within the bloc of countries demanding a shift from rhetoric to concrete action at the UN.
“Somalia remains deeply concerned by the continued suffering of the Palestinian people. The ongoing violence, displacement, and deprivation faced in the occupied territories including Gaza demand our collective conscience and urgent action. We call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and renewed commitment towards the two-state solution as the only viable path for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” he said.
Somalia’s expanding role on the global stage
The Somali president also emphasised his country’s new role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, since its election as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in June 2024, noting that Somalia was working with both council members and the wider UN to push for solutions not just in the Middle East but also in Africa and Europe.
He further reiterated that Mogadishu is seeking to expand its diplomatic influence, positioning itself as an advocate for peace and multilateralism despite its own domestic challenges.
Addressing internal affairs, Mohamud highlighted Somalia’s ongoing fight against Al-Shabab and Daesh terrorist groups. He portrayed Somalia as being on the front line of the battle against extremism, linking progress at home to global security.
While acknowledging the role of international partners, he gave particular credit to Somali forces and local defence groups for their resilience and sacrifices.
UN reforms
The government, he said, is dismantling extremist networks not only through military operations but also by targeting the financial systems that sustain them. According to Mohamud, Somalia’s fight is not just a national struggle but part of a wider effort to secure stability across regions affected by terrorism.
Finally, the Somali president pressed for structural reform at the UN, highlighting Africa’s absence among the permanent members of the Security Council. He described the situation as an “undeniable injustice,” pointing out that while many of the council’s debates centre on Africa, the continent’s 54 sovereign nations remain without permanent representation. Excluding Africa, he said, is unfair and outdated, and true multilateralism requires the continent to have a permanent voice at the table.
