The great nation of Somalia is set to assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council on January 1 for a period of one month. Somalia is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2025–2026 term. As president, the nation’s representatives “will chair council meetings, help shape the agenda, and represent the Security Council throughout the month.”
The decision may be technically consistent with U.N. procedure, but it still raises eyebrows. Somalia continues to grapple with chronic insecurity, fragile state institutions, and a heavy reliance on international peacekeepers.
According to the think tank African Security Analysis, “Somalia’s security environment remains precarious, Al-Shabaab is resurging, donor fatigue is rising, and multilateral coordination is increasingly fragile.”
Procedural or not, elevating Somalia to a position of leadership reflects poor judgment by a feckless organization. Far from signaling readiness, the move suggests the Security Council is willing to lower its own standards in the name of inclusivity. For an institution already struggling with diminished credibility, this decision delivers yet another self-inflicted blow.
And at a time of mounting global threats, the Security Council cannot afford to confuse inclusion with leadership.
Many Americans, weary of an institution that has become steadily more hostile to American interests, are increasingly calling for the U.S. to leave the U.N.
In February, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the DEFUND Act (Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle), legislation that called for a total U.S. withdrawal from the U.N. Unfortunately, Congress failed to act.
It is worth noting that several foreign websites, including the European Marine Energy Centre, reported on December 22 that Somalia had declined the honor, citing the need to focus on internal issues. However, as of Sunday, those articles are completely inaccessible.
Multiple news outlets and diplomatic statements from the Arab League suggest that Somalia intends to proceed with the presidency. They claim the government plans to use the January 2026 term to challenge Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
On Friday, Israel became the first U.N. member state to announce its recognition of Somaliland “as an independent and sovereign state,” a decision the Somali government has condemned as a violation of international law.
Vijeta reported on this story here.
Taken together, these developments highlight a deeper problem with today’s U.N. — an institution increasingly detached from its core mission and vulnerable to political misuse by unstable or aggrieved states. A rotating presidency may last only a month, but the message it sends lingers far longer.
By prioritizing symbolism over stability and process over prudence, the Security Council further erodes its own credibility at a time when global leadership is sorely needed. American policymakers should take note. Rather than reflexively funding and defending a failing system, Congress should reassess U.S. participation, demand meaningful reform, and be willing to withhold support from an institution that no longer advances seriousness, accountability, or U.S. interests.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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