By Sadiya Hamza
New York – Members of the UN Security Council underlined that a peaceful, transparent and inclusive electoral process in 2016 will mark a historic step forward for all Somalis, and will be fundamental for the country’s continued progress towards democracy and stability.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in New York by Council President Liu Jieyi.
The 15-Member council recalled their expectation that there shall be no extension of the electoral process timelines in Somalia.
They called for progress on the constitutional review process and for the completion of the federal state formation process to be accelerated.
Members underlined the importance of good faith cooperation between federal and regional authorities in Somalia on these issues.
Council also commended President Hassan Mohamud and the Federal Government of Somalia for the political progress made in that country in the last four years, in particular the agreement on a model for the electoral process planned for August.
Council said, this would be a stepping stone to ‘one person one vote’ elections in 2020.
They also commended the Federal Government’s commitment to reserve 30 per cent of seats in the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament for women.
Council called on the Parliament to endorse swiftly the implementation plan decided by the National Leadership Forum as soon as possible.
They welcomed the efforts made by the Federal Government of Somalia to strengthen the capacity and accountability of security institutions, including the completion of the National Threat Assessment and draft National Security Policy.
Council called for swift completion of the National Security Policy and National Security Architecture.
The members also welcomed the Federal Government of Somalia’s steps to establish professional, inclusive and accountable security forces, with sound financial management.
They expressed their full support for the process, encouraged the Government to intensify efforts and urged Member States to contribute to this process.
Members reiterated that security sector reform is critical to enable Somalia to assume control of its own long term security.
They further expressed concern about the fragile humanitarian situation in Somalia and the humanitarian impact of El Niño.
Council urged all parties to facilitate timely, unhindered and safe access for humanitarian actors and to find durable solutions for the 1.1 million Somalis internally displaced persons and appealed to donors to increase support to the humanitarian appeal for Somalia.
They reiterated their support for peace, stability and development in Somalia.
Members reiterated their strong condemnation of attacks and recruitment of children by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and paid tribute to African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), and the Somali National Army for their efforts in reducing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab.
The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of the continuation of offensive operations against Al-Shabaab by the Somali National Army and AMISOM, in a well-coordinated manner.
They underscored the importance of enhancing command and control, and improving coordination within AMISOM, as well as the swift appointment of a Force Commander.
This, they added, should be done as contained in the Conclusions of the Summit of the Troop and Police Contributing Countries of AMISOM in Djibouti on Feb. 28, and called for the swift and full implementation of these commitments.
They paid tribute to the work of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Amb. Francisco Madeira.
They underlined the importance of ongoing cooperation between the UN and the AU, including through regular briefings by the SRCC to the Security Council. (NAN)
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