UN Secretary-General holds phone call with Somali presidentÂ
Tuesday April 12, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday phoned Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo to discuss the drought, election, and the new African Union mission in Somalia.advertisements
The Secretary-General expressed his solidarity with Somalia in the face of increased Al-Shabab attacks and the country’s drought. He also expressed his support for African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and his hope that Somalia would be able to ensure its own security as soon as possible.
The al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabab has increased its attacks as the country’s elections drag. The groups’ latest twin suicide attacks in Beledweyne killed 48 people, including female lawmaker Amina Mohamed Abdi.
The UN Security Council, on March 31, voted unanimously for the new African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. ATMIS – which started operating on April 1, 2022, will work to support the Federal Government of Somalia in implementing the Somali Transition Plan and transferring security responsibilities to the Somali security forces and institutions.
The Secretary-General and the President also discussed the electoral process in Somalia. He hoped there would be a swift conclusion for the electoral process and that any outstanding issues be addressed through dialogue.
The long-delayed parliamentary election in Somalia seems far from over after the Federal Electoral Implementation Team (FEIT) recently suspended the result of four Lower House seats, which led to a new political standoff. The Southwest state government suspended cooperation with Prime Minister on elections.