Somalia Elected to African Union Peace and Security Council for 2026–2028

Somalia Elected to African Union Peace and Security Council for 2026–2028

Somalia has been elected to serve as a member of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council for the 2026–2028 term, marking a significant diplomatic milestone for the country. The announcement, made on Wednesday, underscores growing international confidence in Somalia’s role in promoting peace and security across the continent. This achievement highlights Somalia’s expanding engagement in regional and continental diplomacy after years of rebuilding its institutions.

Council Priorities and Somalia’s Role

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Somalia joins the 15-member council with a clear set of priorities: strengthening conflict prevention, advancing peacebuilding and reconciliation, enhancing counterterrorism cooperation, and supporting post-conflict recovery initiatives. Drawing on its own experience in state-building, security sector reform, and counterinsurgency, Somalia intends to contribute practical insight and a principled approach to the council’s mandate.

The government expressed gratitude to AU member states that supported its candidacy, giving special acknowledgment to backing from Eastern African nations. Somalia’s election signals renewed confidence in its capacity to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s collective security agenda, positioning the country as a trusted partner in regional stability efforts.

Significance for Regional Security

The African Union Peace and Security Council is the AU’s primary decision-making body for conflict prevention, management, and resolution. It oversees peace support operations, imposes sanctions when necessary, and coordinates collective responses to crises across the continent. Somalia’s membership in the council provides the country with a platform to influence key decisions on conflict resolution and peacekeeping initiatives, further integrating it into continental security mechanisms.

Somalia’s election comes at a time when the country continues to rebuild its security institutions and strengthen its diplomatic engagement. By actively participating in the council, Somalia aims to both contribute to regional stability and benefit from collective security initiatives, sharing lessons learned from its own post-conflict recovery experience.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Somalia’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, African solidarity, and stronger collective security mechanisms. Somalia pledges to work closely with AU partners to promote peace, development, and stability across Africa, reinforcing its emerging role as both a beneficiary of and contributor to continental security and diplomacy.