Somalia Urges UN Action as Conflict Fuels Food Insecurity

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NEW YORK: Somalia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Abukar Osman Baalle, told the UN Security Council that tackling hunger is central to Somalia’s long-term stability, warning that conflict-driven food shortages continue to threaten progress in the Horn of Africa nation.

Addressing an open debate on conflict and food insecurity, Baalle said Somalia’s recent history shows how insecurity, climate shocks and displacement can quickly fuel hunger, which in turn weakens communities and deepens instability. He said the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, which shows rising global hunger, reflects the daily reality Somalia faces.

The ambassador urged stronger implementation of Security Council Resolution 2417, which condemns the use of starvation as a weapon. He said Somalia has repeatedly seen armed groups exploit food scarcity to pressure vulnerable populations, making early warning systems and accountability measures essential.

Baalle called for predictable international financing to support Somalia’s national food security plans, saying investments in irrigation, rural roads, markets and domestic production would reduce dependence on emergency aid and strengthen Somalia’s ability to recover from shocks.

He pointed to regional efforts, including the African Union’s Kampala Declaration and the African Common Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness, as examples of initiatives aligned with Somalia’s priorities to build resilience and empower local communities.

Women, he added, play a central role in Somalia’s food systems and must be at the heart of policy decisions. Strengthening support for women farmers and improving data on their needs, he said, would have a direct impact on Somalia’s economic and social stability.

Baalle closed by saying food should never be used to divide or weaken societies. For Somalia, he said, breaking the cycle between hunger and conflict is essential to securing peace.