By Riffat Kausar
International News Correspondent
SNN News Finland
Somalia is set to assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council starting in January 2026. The UN Security Council is the world’s most powerful body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
The council decides on sanctions, arms embargoes, peacekeeping missions, international tribunals, and approvals for the use of military force.
Somalia has faced more than three decades of civil war, political instability, and weak central governance. Large parts of the country remain affected by violence, and Islamist militant groups still control certain regions.
Somalia is also known to host a major branch of ISIS’s international network.
Despite these challenges, Somalia is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and will take over the presidency from Slovenia.
The presidency rotates alphabetically among members.
The UN Security Council includes five permanent members the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China,
and Russia who hold veto power. Ten other countries, including Somalia, serve as non-permanent members without veto rights.
Somalia’s upcoming leadership role has sparked debate, with critics questioning how a country struggling with internal security can chair the world’s top peace and security body.
Somalia’s rise to chair the UN Security Council highlights deep contradictions in global governance.
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