Somalia made positive progress in short time but many challenges lies ahead says UN Somalia’s office
The UN office for Somalia has released its year-end report on the country recapping the achievements gained while outlying the challenges lying ahead emphasizing on the need for cooperation, decreasing violence, corruption in the year 2018.
The annual report released from the UN Somali office headed by Ambassador Michael Keating indicated how Somalis are confronting some of the toughest living conditions in the world struggling to cope with the consequences of devastating nation drought and wide spread insecurity across the citizens singling out particularly the terrible moment of the 14th October devastating bomb attack that killed over 500 people in Mogadishu and injured many more with properties worth millions of dollars destroyed.
But the report also highlighted numerous positive aspects achieved including averting famine, international and local humanitarian contributions, peaceful power transfer, instituting the senate house, reforming the revenue collection among others though the report said media coverage was solely engaged on negative news reducing the reputation of Somalia.
Famine was abated through efforts led by the government in collaboration with the business community, civil society and the diaspora. The remarkable contribution by the international community including United Nations and non-governmental organization to extend a helping to those in need and displaced persons were also indicated in the report.
February 2017 saw the peaceful transfer of power where President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was elected. The senate house was established which represents the regional federal member states with substantive number of female members elected into the house.
The report also highlighted the multifaceted reforms initiated by the government including streamlining of the revenue collection and financial management, an agreement with federal member states on the national security architecture, plans for rebuilding the army and police, approval of judicial and corrections model and concurrence on a national development plan – the first in decades setting the country on course to recovery and possible debt relief.
It also raised the crucial telcoms bill ‘National Telecommunication Act’ passed by the federal parliament, the recent agreement on political settlement between Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a and the Galmudug administration and electoral model that could see massive expansion of the number of voters in 2020 as a milestone achievements.
But many challenges lies ahead that can be obstruct and hinder progress namely pervasive corruption in politics, powerbrokers’ willingness using violence or the threat of violence against opponents. They also include failure to respect the Provisional Federal Constitution, the rule of law and human rights which all of these can be a good recipe for giving conducive ground for extremists to gain upper hand says the report.
The report winds up with a feeling of optimism from Ambassador Keating. “Personally, I remain optimistic, encouraged by what has been achieved, while aware of how difficult the situation remains.”
Goobjoog News