Somalia’s membership of the Security Council, which runs until the end of 2026, has provided the government with an opportunity to directly participate in deliberations on major international security issues.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to travel to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, at a time when Somaliland’s president is also in New York for the annual gathering.
Hassan Sheikh is expected to use the high-profile international forum to highlight Somalia’s security, humanitarian and development priorities, as well as seek greater international support for the country.
Somalia is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, giving Mogadishu a prominent role in international discussions on peace and security.
The president is expected to address the General Assembly and speak about the security situation in Somalia, including efforts to strengthen the country’s security forces and the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab, the Islamist militant group that has waged an insurgency for more than a decade.
Somali authorities are also expected to raise the country’s humanitarian needs, with millions of people continuing to require humanitarian assistance amid displacement, food insecurity and other challenges.
The visit comes as Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, commonly known as Irro, is also in New York.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not secured broad international recognition. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory, while authorities in Hargeisa maintain that the territory is an independent state.
The simultaneous presence of the two leaders in New York could bring renewed attention to the longstanding dispute between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, particularly as Somalia seeks to defend its territorial integrity on the international stage.
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Hassan Sheikh is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with senior UN officials, US officials and leaders from other member states during his visit.
Those meetings are likely to focus on Somalia’s security needs, international assistance, investment, development and cooperation with regional and global partners.
Somalia’s membership of the Security Council, which runs until the end of 2026, has provided the government with an opportunity to directly participate in deliberations on major international security issues.
The annual General Assembly gathering is one of the largest diplomatic events in the world, bringing together heads of state and government from across the globe.
The General Assembly session opened earlier in September, while the high-level general debate is scheduled to begin on September 22 and continue through September 28.
For Mogadishu, the gathering provides an important platform to seek continued international backing as the government works to strengthen state institutions, address security challenges and improve the country’s humanitarian and economic situation.
The trip also comes amid continued political and security challenges inside Somalia, where the federal government has been seeking greater cooperation among political actors and federal member states.
Hassan Sheikh’s participation is therefore expected to combine diplomatic engagement abroad with efforts to advance Somalia’s domestic political and security agenda.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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