Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times  /  James Swan, head of the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), speaks at the International Peace Institute forum in New York City February 25, 2020  discussion of Somalia’s recent progress and immediate future.

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS – NEW  YORK – Somalia is facing an 11 percent decline in gross domestic product (GDP) this year as the COVID-19 pandemic takes a  heavy toll on the Horn-of-Africa nation’s economy.  The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan, briefed members of the Security Council Thursday during which he told the diplomats that Somalia, like the rest of the world, is focused on confronting the COVID-19 pandemic.  Swan added that the UN is working to reinforce the Government’s response. UN agencies, funds and programmes have reoriented their activities to give priority to the pandemic. But even before the virus, Swan stressed that more than 5 million Somalis were already in need of humanitarian assistance. 2.6 million people in the country are internally displaced, and 1 million are now being impacted by flooding.

Somalia at a critical juncture, as federal, state leaders, meet to break election impasse

With elections slated for November delayed due to COVID-19, Somalia is at a critical juncture, Swan told the Security Council  pressing federal and state leaders to agree on voting modalities, and bolster the capacity of forces which are meant to assume full control of national security, next year.

“We understand that there are strongly held divergent views among the leaders and political tensions are high in this pre-electoral period”, said James Swan, Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).  “Yet, it is precisely during such moments that it is most necessary for the nation’s leaders to engage in dialogue.” 

-UN Special Representative for Somalia James Swan

The UN envoy went on to describe the current dilemma to ambassadors, whereby Parliament must be elected through universal direct suffrage, according to the Provisional Federal Constitution.

 Upsurge in al-Shabaab Terror Attacks Cause For Concern

On the security front, Swan  described a “worrying upsurge” in al-Shabaab attacks, particularly in Mogadishu, drawing attention to the 16 August assault on the Elite Hotel and an unquestionable need for “hard security” operations to counter the group.    Somalia is to take the lead on its security matters in 2021, he said, and while Federal authorities have completed a concept note for updating the transition plan, force generation has faced setbacks in meeting 2020 projections, owing to COVID-19.

“Progress in Somalia requires a long-term commitment to governance, justice, respect for human rights, and inclusion of women, youth, and minorities to build the nation”,  UN Envoy Swan said.