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Concluding her first round of visits to Somalia’s federal member states, the new top United Nations official for Somalia today visited Jubaland, where she met with leaders to discuss topics such as UN aid, state-building, security and the humanitarian situation. to discuss.
“This is the final of my visits to a federal member state as part of this tour. I will soon be traveling to New York to hold my first Security Council briefing on June 22. So it is incredibly helpful to hear directly from the presidents of the federal member states to understand their priorities and what they want from the UN,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing.
“I reaffirmed the role of the UN and its good offices, as well as development programs, in support of the people of Jubaland,” she added.
The UN Special Representative made her remarks at a joint media meeting in the city of Kismayo along with the President of Jubaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam ‘Madobe’, whom she had previously met along with the First Vice President of the Federal Member State, Mohammed Sayid Adan.
The top UN official said the talks were an opportunity to learn more about the security situation in Jubaland and stabilization efforts in newly recovered areas.
“We first talked about security, the progress that has been made, the reclaiming of territory and the really important follow-up around stabilization. And I am committed to ensuring that the UN fully supports those goals of permanently securing the area and providing basic services to help people rebuild their lives and rebuild trust with communities,” Ms Laing said.
The talks also touched on the humanitarian situation. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), flooding due to recent rainfall has severely affected several parts of the country, including the Baardheere area in Jubaland.
“We talked about the humanitarian situation, which remains very challenging here. There are specific issues surrounding access to some parts of this state. But nevertheless, the UN is determined to try to provide life-saving support, while also looking at longer-term solutions to climate change,” Ms Laing said.
The floods inundated homes and farmland, washed away livestock, temporarily closed schools and health facilities, and damaged roads. The flooding comes at a time when Somalia is facing a severe drought.
The UN Special Representative also discussed the political involvement of Jubaland’s leaders at the state level, including with the Gedo region of the federal member state, and at the federal level.
“The president explained to me the role he plays in the National Advisory Council and the importance of those deliberations – reaching the people in an inclusive process of consultation, hopefully including Puntland, so that the country can complete its very important journey. on state building and peace building, rebuilding the country for the benefit of all Somalis… I reaffirm the role of the UN and its good offices, as well as development programmes, in supporting the people of Jubaland,” Ms Laing said.
In Kismayo, the UN Special Representative also met with UN personnel stationed there and with peacekeepers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Shortly after landing in Mogadishu two weeks ago, Ms Laing met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. She then made visits to Hirshabelle, Puntland and South West State.
Ms Laing was appointed to her position in May this year. Prior to her appointment to Somalia, she held various positions in the UK government, and from 1993 to 1994 she worked in the UN Development Department in Somalia.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
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