Promoting an inclusive and effective government to ensure political stability in Somalia
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Somalia
From:
25 May 2021 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Thank you, Mr President, and it is good to be back to the Security Council chamber. I’d like to start by thanking the briefers, Special Representative Swan and Ambassador Madeira, and His Excellency Foreign Minister Abdirizak.
Mr President, the United Kingdom welcomes the opening of a new round of talks in Mogadishu and their ongoing positive progress, aimed at reaching consensus on an electoral model, and we give our full support to Prime Minister Roble as he chairs this process.
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.
Joint communique on the situation in Somalia (AU, EU, IGAD and UN) - 20 May 2020
Format
1) The African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN) continue to follow very closely the situation in Somalia. In this regard, a further virtual meeting was held on 18 May 2021, with the participation of Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD; H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; H.E. Amb. Rita Laranjinha, European Union, Managing Director for Africa; and H.E. Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
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May 23, 2021 01:07
GAZA: After touring rubble-strewn areas of Gaza hit by airstrikes during fighting between Israel and Hamas, the top UN aid official in the region appealed to both sides on Saturday to observe a ceasefire as aid teams assess the damage.
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