Friday, May 20, 2016
United Nations Security Council members on Thursday ended a one-day visit to Somalia, with a plea to its Federal Government to stick to an electoral timetable that would see an August ballot.
Representatives of the Security Council’s 15-member states who met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, civil society members and senior United Nations and African Union officials, also commended the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for its role in securing the country.
Joint AMISOM and Somali National Army (SNA) efforts have resulted in the recovery of areas held by Al Shabaab militants, creating space for humanitarian access and enabling the strengthening of state institutions and preparations for much expected presidential elections.
“We will be renewing the mandate of AMISOM shortly. We have all been listening and learning about the successes, but also the challenges that AMISOM faces,” Matthew Rycroft, the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council told journalists at a joint press conference after the meeting.
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia Ambassador Francisco Madeira, thanked the Council for its commitment and support to Somalia and AMISOM.
“We believe that this is a joint venture, this is business that needs to succeed It takes AMISOM, SNA, national security forces, politicians, clan leaders and federal and regional authorities to make it work,” Ambassador Madeira said.
The Council members and Ambassador Madeira also met with Somali civil society groups and representatives of humanitarian agencies.