MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali failed to cut down its arrears owed to the United Nations (UN) but will not be stripped of voting rights at the Un General Assembly, UN said.

In the letter to General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said three other African countries — Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe, and Somalia — are in arrears.

The global organization stated that Somalia, alongside Sao Tome and Principe and Comoros will still retain their voting rights until the end of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly which lapses in December.

Comoros needs to pay USD 871,632, Sao Tome and Principe USD 829,888, and Somalia USD 1,443,640 to reduce their arrears and avoid a possible cutoff of voting rights after September, according to the letter.

UN said Iran and Central Republic of Africa had lost their vote in the global body’s General Assembly after they failed settle their arrears.

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.

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