Somalia, along with Pakistan, Panama, Greece, and Denmark, officially joined the United Nations Security Council as non-permanent members on Thursday, marking the start of their two-year term for 2025-2026.
A ceremonial event led by Algeria, the council’s president for January, welcomed the new members, who are taking over seats previously held by Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland. These countries’ terms concluded on December 31, 2024.
Election and Term Details
Elected in June 2024 during a UN General Assembly vote, the new members will serve on the council from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. Somalia secured 179 votes, surpassing the required two-thirds majority of the 193-member assembly.
The Security Council comprises 15 members: five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US—with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for staggered two-year terms. The allocation of non-permanent seats is determined by geographical distribution, ensuring representation from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.
Somalia’s election to the council underscores its growing presence in global diplomacy, as it takes on responsibilities in addressing international peace and security challenges during its term.