United Nations Envoy for Somalia visits Jubaland

The talks between Swan and Madobe covered the wider political situation in Somalia, including the deadlock over elections amid ongoing efforts to bring the parties together to agree on a way forward.

News Keydmedia Online
31 January 2021

KISMAYO, Somalia - The UN envoy for Somalia James Swan arrived in the southern port city of Kismayo for talks with Jubaland state president Ahmed Madobe, the United Nations office in Mogadishu said.

It’s part of Swan’s visits to the Federal Member States in the new year, and he went to Kismayo to discuss with Madobe and his ministers the work of the United Nations in support of Jubaland state.

The work that the UN is doing in the country ranges from support for ongoing reconciliation, security, and stabilization efforts to providing humanitarian and development assistance.

The talks between Swan and Madobe covered the wider political situation in Somalia, including the deadlock over elections amid ongoing efforts to bring the parties together to agree on a way forward.

Somalia’s international partners issued a joint statement in which they expressed their support for Farmajo’s decision to hold a meeting with Federal States leaders due to open on Monday, February 1.

After the talks, the president will address the parliament on 5th February to update the lawmakers of both houses about the process of the elections and the political situation in the country. 

The development came after the foreign diplomats met with the president in Mogadishu on Saturday, sharing with him their concern about the continuing impasse in implementing the electoral deal on Sep. 17.

Jubaland and Puntland have been joining forces to oppose Farmajo’s plans to conduct partial elections in three states and the capital, excluding them from the process due to the standoff.

KON English News Desk