United Nations (UN) has called for national reconciliation to end the the recurrent political crisis as the new administration takes the charge.
Addressing UN Security Council, UN envoy in Somalia, James Swan thanked the newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for including reconciliation in his immediate priorities.
Mr. Swan said he has heard directly from President Mohamud about his immediate goals, which include national reconciliation, improving relations between the central Government and federal states.
“We believe this is an appropriate list of initial priorities and look forward to learning more details as the new leadership takes charge and as a new Prime Minister and cabinet are named in the coming weeks,” said Mr. Swan.
The envoy urged both the authorities and the international community to capitalize on this “moment of opportunity”.
“We call on Somali leaders to work together in a spirit of collaboration and national purpose. We call on Somalia’s international friends and partners, including those on this Council, to offer constructive support and encouragement,” he said.
Swan also addressed the security situation which remains “highly volatile”.
Deadly Al-Shabaab attacks in March and April 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.
