MOGADISHU (SD) – Somalia will have the rights to vote at the UN General Assembly despite failing to settle payment of financial contributions to the UN.

In a resolution, the global body said Somalia along two other countries will remain active member to cast vote at the assembly till the end of 75th session of the UN General Assembly.

“[The Assembly] decides that the Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia shall be permitted to vote in the General Assembly until the end of its seventy-fifth session,” resolution 75/2 signed by Secretary General António Guterres read in part.

Article 19 of the Charter of the United Nations states that a member state in arrears in the payment of its dues in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for two preceding years can lose its vote in the General Assembly.

Meanwhile, seven countries lost their right to vote at the UN General Assembly due to nonpayment of financial contributions to the UN.

However, countries which are unable to meet their financial obligations owing to circumstances ‘beyond their control’ can be exempted.

To bring its arrears to acceptable minimum, Somalia has to pay the UN body a sum of $1, 443,640.

According to a UN letter dated 13 January, the countries include Central African Republic ($29 195), Congo ($90 844), Iran (Islamic Republic of) ($16,251 296), Libya ($705 391), Niger ($6 733), South Sudan ($22 104), Zimbabwe ($81 770).