Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times  /  James Swan, head of the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS  -NEW YORK  –  Special Representative James Swan, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) told the UN Security Council this week that the Horn-of-Africa nation is at a crossroad and urged a “deepened” political consensus.  The “broad political consensus” reached in September that ended a two-year stalemate in Somalia must be “preserved and indeed deepened”, the UN Special Envoy told the Security Council on Monday.  Although the agreed model of voting “regrettably fell short” of the constitutional requirement for parliamentary elections based on the principle of universal suffrage, Special Representative James Swan, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), acknowledged that it did reflect “wide Somali political consensus and ownership”.

“In addition to the support of the President and federal member state leaders, the indirect model was also endorsed by other key Somali stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, and was ratified by the Federal Parliament”

-UN Special Representative to Somalia James Swan

 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. 

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times  /  James Swan, head of the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Somalia, like the rest of the world, is focused on confronting the COVID-19 pandemic.  But even before the virus, more than 5 million Somalis were already in need of humanitarian assistance. Some 2.6 million people in the country are internally displaced, and 1 million are now being impacted by flooding.  The UN official painted a picture of a country facing critical decisions, namely “an electoral process to choose the parliament and president in the coming few months; a security transition so that Somalis can assume lead security responsibility by the end of 2021; and urgent priorities for humanitarian response and economic reforms”.  With elections that were scheduled this month delayed due to COVID-19 and security problems, 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 urge Somali leaders to prepare consensually a roadmap with clear timelines and benchmarks to ensure one-person-one-vote elections take place in 2024/25”

-UN Envoy James Swan

Security challenges Amid  Al-Shabaab Terror Attacks

On security, the al-Shabaab terrorist group still continues to carry out attacks in Somalia.  Peacekeepers with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) are supporting the national army, and have been gradually handing over responsibilities to them.

“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 J. Swan