Somalia has been elected to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the 2026–2028 term, marking its first membership of the 15-member body since its establishment in 2004. The vote was held on Wednesday in Addis Ababa ahead of the 39th AU Summit.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the election as a reflection of growing confidence in Somalia’s progress, noting that the country had previously served on the United Nations Security Council and was now taking up a role on the AU’s key peace organ.
Somalia declared its candidacy in January 2025 and embarked on a diplomatic campaign to rally support from member states. Its election follows years of efforts to rebuild state institutions and re-establish its standing in regional and continental affairs after decades of instability.
Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisalam Dhaay represented the country at pre-summit ministerial meetings focused on institutional reforms, partnerships and strategic priorities.
In a statement, Somalia’s foreign ministry thanked AU member states, particularly those in Eastern Africa, for their solidarity and support. It reaffirmed the country’s commitment to African unity and stronger collective security mechanisms.
The PSC is mandated to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts across the continent. The AU has maintained a peace support mission in Somalia for more than 17 years, backing the federal government in stabilisation efforts and the fight against terrorism.
Somalia is a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity, the AU’s predecessor, and hosted the 11th OAU Summit in Mogadishu in June 1974.