International community urged to support new Somali government

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: In his remarks to the United Nations Security Council meeting on Somalia Monday, UN Special Representative James Swan spoke about the country’s recent presidential election, security challenges, the humanitarian situation and rights of the Somali people.

James Swan briefed the UN on Somalia’s electoral process which saw the election and swearing in of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as Somalia’s tenth president. Swan said he heard directly from President Mohamud his immediate goals which include national reconciliation, improving relations between the central Government and federal states, and addressing the security threat from the militant group al-Shabaab. 

Following the new transition in the Horn of Africa Nation, Swan urged Somali leaders to work together in a spirit of collaboration and national purpose and also called on Somalia’s international friends and partners, including those on the Council, to offer constructive support and encouragement.

According to the UN envoy,the electoral process was devoid of challenges, noting that the Somali people did not have the chance to vote for the House of the People in a “one-person-one-vote” election, and only 21 percent of the elected Members of Parliament (MPs) were women, despite a 30 per cent quota. He added that many irregularities in the selection of MPs were noted throughout the process, which was repeatedly marred by violence, with numerous civilian casualties recorded. 

On the dire humanitarian situation in Somalia, the UN envoy reported that the number of people affected by drought has risen to 6.1 million, adding that despite a scale-up in humanitarian operations, a $1.45 billion appeal for the current year is only 15 per cent funded. 

“Without immediate receipt of funding to expand humanitarian operations, we face the prospect of significant loss of life in the period ahead,” said Swan.

Mr. Swan also addressed the security situation which remains “highly volatile”,pointing out at the deadly Al-Shabaab attacks in March and April which appeared to be an effort to disrupt the final phases of the electoral process. 

He commended the Somali security forces and their counterparts from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) “who safeguarded the electoral process and bore the brunt of Al-Shabaab’s deadly attacks then and after.” 

AU representative Francisco Caetano Jose Madeira underlined the vital need to scale-up air support with transport and attack helicopters, as well as adequate offensive weapons, for both ATMIS and the Somali security forces.