Washington, DC – 14 December 2023 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (), Catriona Laing, today wrapped up a two-day visit to Washington, DC.

In meetings with the National Security Council (NSC), State Department, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), she highlighted how the United Nations’ presence in Somalia is evolving. She also stressed the importance of international support for the country’s security, stability and development.

SRSG Laing traveled to Washington, DC, from New York, where she had attended the Somalia Security Conference. There she said, “Somalia’s security is a good investment - delivering strong returns for all of us.”

SRSG Catriona Laing (right), NSC Director for Horn of Africa Brendan Gough (center) and NSC Director for Multilateral Affairs Scott Leo (left) at NSC in Washington, DC. 13 December 2023. Photo: UNIC Washington

Regarding the security situation in Somalia, attention remains on Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda’s principal affiliate in East Africa, whose numerous terrorist attacks in Somalia, Kenya and neighboring countries, have killed thousands of people, including American citizens.

In his latest on Somalia, Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the advances made by the Federal Government of Somalia against Al-Shabaab on several fronts through its multi-pronged approach were “encouraging.”

SRSG Catriona Laing (left) and World Bank Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa Victoria Kwakwa (right) at World Bank in Washington, DC. 13 December 2023. Photo: UNIC Washington

UNSOM was established ten years ago by  to provide policy advice to the Federal Government of Somalia, as well as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which was replaced last year by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). UNSOM’s advisory mandate focuses on peacebuilding and state-building in the areas of governance, security sector reform and rule of law (including the disengagement of combatants), development of a federal system (including state formation), constitutional review, democratization and coordination of international donor support.

UNSOM also supports the Federal Government’s capacity to promote respect for human rights and women’s empowerment, ensure child protection, prevent conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthen justice institutions.