The UN envoy for Somalia, James Swan, is received by the President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi  at the presidential palace in Hargeisa, Somaliland during a working visit on 28 July 2019.   (UN Photo/Abdikarim Mohamed) 

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The United Nations  new envoy for Somalia met the President of the Horn of Africa nation’s  semi-autonomous region of Somaliland Sunday to discuss issues including democratic progress,  cooperation, and governance. The visit comes as Somaliland has stepped up its efforts in recent months to establish bilateral ties with other countries in West Africa and the Middle East, according to the UN. It was Ambassador Swan’s first visit to Somaliland since taking up his position. Last month,  UN Secretary-General António Guterres  appointed Swan of the United States as his Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).  During the two-day visit, Swan underlined the importance of dialogue in addressing the region’s challenges.

“I want to take this occasion to emphasize the importance of building and maintaining open channels of communication to resolve differences peacefully and constructively.”

-UN Envoy James Swan, said.

He also urged further efforts by political leaders on Somaliland to organize parliamentary and local elections. “We also discussed the importance of completing the necessary preparatory work to proceed to credible parliamentary and local elections very soon,” he added. “In that context, I was pleased to learn of the agreement reached yesterday among political parties that we hope will lead to these elections on an early timeline.”

Credit: unsom.unmissions.org/  UN Envoy For Somalia James Swan at Press stakeout in Hargeisa, Somaliland Jul 28, 2019.

UN envoy Swan is no stranger to Somaliland.  “It’s good to be back in Hargeisa. I first visited in 1995, and again in 2012-2013. Even during my brief visit now, I can see the progress achieved. The vibrancy of the economy and the general security that has been maintained underpin confidence in the future,” Swan said. 

During his two-day visit to the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa, the UN official met with Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi and senior members of his cabinet, as well as women leaders and beneficiaries of UN programmes. In his meetings, the Special Representative reiterated the world body’s commitment to supporting Somaliland.

“Part of the reason I’m here is to help strengthen our collaboration regarding humanitarian activities, economic development and capacity-building for local governance and service delivery,”  Swan said. “I’ve been pleased to see some of the projects helping refugees and community members alike acquire skills to support themselves and their families,” he added. “The communities hosting refugees and asylum-seekers are already making a big contribution to these groups, and these programmes not only equip the refugees with critical skills, but also benefit the wider community.”