Somalia: Special Envoy Hails Progress by Somali Leadership on Implementing Kampala Accord

By Staff Writer

Nairobi– The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, (SRSG), Dr Augustine P. Mahiga, has congratulated Somalia’s political leadership, in particular, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, as well as the Parliament, for demonstrating their commitment to peace through the Kampala Accord and its rapid parliamentary ratification.

“I am very pleased that the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions is continuing to make progress on implementing the Accord, said Dr Mahiga who is Head of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). “ I look forward to the nomination and endorsement of a representative, efficient and widely accepted Cabinet in the near future.”

The SRSG also highlighted the importance of the upcoming Consultative Meeting on Ending the Transition saying it should be held inside Somalia before the end of the current Transitional Period on 20 August. He paid tribute to the Preparatory Committee, comprising representatives from the Transitional Federal Government, Transitional Federal Parliament, Puntland and Galmudug.

“We need to take advantage of the positive momentum,” said Dr Mahiga. “This Consultative Meeting will advance the process of ending the transitional period and consolidate the political good will resulting from the Kampala Accord.”

The Consultative Meeting, which will take place at a time and place still to be determined, will bring together a cross-section of governmental actors and civil society and will complete a broad-based, inclusive and consultative process ending with the approval of a Roadmap.

The Roadmap is expected to chart a course for the next year, providing political direction to the new cabinet, and promoting inclusivity and stability. It will focus on the key issues and benchmarks (on security, the Constitution, institutional reform, political outreach and preparation for elections), delineation of clear responsibilities for implementation, a timeline, resource assessment and mobilization and compliance (in particular the establishment of a co-ordination and monitoring mechanism and a regional political initiative of heads of state).

“This Roadmap should include realistic and achievable goals,” said Dr Mahiga. “The review of the Roadmap will give the Somali leaders the chance to gain the support and participation of the people and to show they are committed to making serious progress in the next 12 months.

“The final objective is to see a stable and inclusive Somalia at peace with itself and its neighbours with a representative government able to provide for its citizens. I see the Roadmap as an important step towards this.”

The SRSG said that tragically, the political and security progress were coming at a time of great suffering for Somalia due to the ongoing drought which has affected close to three million people.

“The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Somalia requires immediate action,” said Dr Mahiga. “The Secretary-General himself is leading the UN’s appeal for international assistance to save lives. There is no time to lose.”