Amid Political Tension, Spirit of Compromise among Somalia’s Leaders ‘an Urgent Necessity Going Forward’, Special Representative Tells Security Council
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8779TH MEETING (AM)
Following weeks of mounting political tension, Somalia’s leaders have walked “back from the brink” and resumed talks in the capital, where a positive atmosphere prevails and an agreement on electoral arrangements is now anticipated imminently, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council this morning.
James Swan, who is the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), spoke via videoconference to delegates gathered in the Security Council Chamber for the first time since December 2020, when the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a return to remote work arrangements.
Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, James Swan, to the Security Council on the Situation in Somalia, 25 May 2021
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Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief on the situation in Somalia. I am pleased do so together again with the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira. This underscores the importance of the relationship between our two organisations in Somalia. AMISOM continues to play a critical role in Somalia every day, and I commend the bravery and determination of Somali and AMISOM forces as they advance peace and security in the country. I also look forward to the comments of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia,
Communique adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 994th meeting held on 11 May 2021 on the situation in Somalia and the implementation of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)’s mandate
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The Peace and Security Council,
Noting the opening remarks made by the Permanent Representative of People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and Chairperson of the PSC for May 2021, H.E Ambassador Salah Francis Elhamdi, the statement of the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye and the briefing by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira; also noting the statements made by the National Security Adviser of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the representative of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD);
MOGADISHU
In late April, after months of political tensions, forces loyal to Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” exchanged gunfire in Mogadishu with those fighting for the opposition. The country teetered on the brink of all-out civil war.
The political crisis has come on top of a series of humanitarian disasters – the result of the long-running conflict with al-Qaeda linked insurgents al-Shabab, recent flash floods, and a predicted drought that, all told, will leave more than six million people in need of aid.
At the heart of the dispute has been Farmajo’s determination to stay in office for two years beyond the end of his term on 8 February, ostensibly to enable the holding of delayed elections. It was a move backed by the country’s lower house, but not the upper house, and a furious opposition – led by two former presidents – says the extension is simply a power grab.