The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has hailed the role of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for its efforts in trying to stabilize Somalia.
Currently, AMISOM has a contingent of about 20,000 peacekeeping troops drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
‘The Council (also) paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army personnel fighting against Al-Shabaab’, a release by the UN states in part.
The development comes in the wake of the UNSC extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to March 31, 2017.
The 15 members of the Council unanimously adopted an extension of UNSOM’s work, underscoring the provision of UN good offices to support the Federal Government’s peace and reconciliation process, including preparation for an inclusive, free, fair and transparent electoral process in 2016 and universal elections by 2020.
Last month, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Somalia Michael Keating, met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the speaker of the Federal Parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Mr. Feltman reiterated the UN’s support to the Somali people for agreeing on an electoral process for this year.
In its resolution, the Council encourages UNSOM to enhance its interaction with Somali civil society, including women, youth, business and religious leaders to ensure that different points of view are incorporated in the political process.
