In a press statement released Friday night, the 15 members of the council commended the country’s leaders for putting first “Somalia’s stability, security and development, and the best interests of the Somali people”.
Amid Escalating Tension, Somali Leaders Resume Talks on Critical Elections thenews-chronicle.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenews-chronicle.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Amid Political Tension, Spirit of Compromise among Somalia’s Leaders ‘an Urgent Necessity Going Forward’, Special Representative Tells Security Council
Format
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.
Wednesday, 26 May 2021, 6:52 am
A summit involving leaders of Somalia’s
political factions is underway in Mogadishu, a welcome
relief after months of
, the senior UN official in the
country told the Security Council on Tuesday, expressing
hope that a consensus on electoral plans will be announced
imminently.
James Swan, UN Special
Representative for Somalia and head of the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), said it is
imperative that the summit yield an implementable agreement
to hold elections in the shortest time
possible.
“Without such an agreement, and the
goodwill and sincerity to implement it, the gains which have
Mounting tensions
Recounting the political impasse over recent weeks, Mr. Swan said the talks between Somalia’s Federal Government and the leaders of its Federal Member States, which began in March, regrettably broke down in early April.
The House of the People of the Somali Parliament then adopted a “Special Law” abandoning a landmark electoral agreement reached on 17 September 2020, extending the mandates of current office-holders for up to two more years.
Opposition to these moves led to the mobilization of militias and exposed divisions within Somali security forces. Violent clashes ensued on 25 April, risking broader conflict.
“Since then, Somalia has come back from the brink of this worst-case scenario”, said Mr. Swan, recalling that the House of the People reversed its Special Law on 1 May under intense pressure, finally easing tensions.