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Somalia has been elected to serve on the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council for the 2026–2028 term, marking an important diplomatic achievement for the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing the election as a sign of growing trust in the country’s role in promoting peace and stability across Africa.
In a statement, the ministry said the vote reflects renewed confidence from African Union member states in Somalia’s contribution to the continent’s peace and security efforts. The government thanked all the countries that supported its candidacy, especially nations from the Eastern Africa region, whose backing played a key role in securing the seat.
By joining the 15-member Peace and Security Council, Somalia takes on greater responsibility in shaping decisions related to conflict prevention, crisis response and peacebuilding across Africa. The government outlined several priorities it plans to focus on during its term. These include strengthening efforts to prevent conflicts before they escalate, supporting peacebuilding and national reconciliation processes, improving cooperation in the fight against terrorism and helping countries recover after conflict.
Somalia says it will draw from its own experiences over the past decade. The country has been rebuilding its state institutions, reforming its security sector and leading operations against extremist groups. Officials believe these experiences give Somalia practical knowledge that can help inform discussions and decisions at the continental level. By sharing lessons learned, Somalia hopes to contribute meaningfully to the council’s work.
The African Union Peace and Security Council is the AU’s main body responsible for maintaining peace and stability on the continent. It plays a central role in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts. The council oversees peace support missions, recommends or imposes sanctions when necessary and coordinates collective responses to political crises, armed conflicts and other threats to security in member states.
Membership on the council is considered a significant responsibility, as decisions made by the body can influence the direction of peace efforts across Africa. Council members are expected to work closely together, promote dialogue and support solutions that strengthen regional cooperation.
Somalia’s election comes at a time when the country is continuing its own journey of recovery and rebuilding. In recent years, Somalia has been working to strengthen its security institutions, improve governance and expand its diplomatic engagement with regional and international partners. Being elected to the Peace and Security Council signals recognition of the progress the country has made and its willingness to play a more active role in continental affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and African solidarity. It said the country is ready to work closely with fellow AU member states to promote stability, peace and sustainable development across the continent. Officials emphasized that peace and security are shared responsibilities and require collective action.
As Somalia prepares to begin its 2026–2028 term, expectations are high that it will use its seat to advocate for practical, inclusive and long-term solutions to conflicts. The government has pledged to approach its role with responsibility, transparency and a strong commitment to the principles of the African Union.
Somalia’s new position on the Peace and Security Council not only reflects diplomatic progress but also signals the country’s determination to move from being primarily a recipient of peace support to becoming an active contributor to Africa’s broader stability and security efforts.