Members of UNSC visit Nairobi to discuss the future of Somalia

30 May 2011

Members of UNSC visit Nairobi to discuss the future of Somalia

On 25 May 2011, Members of the UN Security Council visited Nairobi to hold detailed discussions on the future of Somalia. During the visit, the diplomats held a two hour meeting with members of the Transitional Federal Government and the Transitional Federal Parliament in which they heard from the Somali President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and the Speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. The diplomats emphasized the concern of the international community over the divisions between the leadership and urged all sides to work together and come to an agreement on the timing and form of elections. They emphasized the need to focus on key tasks such as reconciliation, outreach, drafting the constitution, governance and financial accountability.
The UN Security Council members held a separate meeting with representatives from Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug as well as with representatives from civil society. They were also briefed by the Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, the African Union High Representative for Somalia, Jerry Rawlings, and the AMISOM Force Commander, General Nathan Mugisha and met members of the UN Country team and diplomats based in Nairobi. The Security Council members also held meeting with the Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister, Raila Odinga about the impact of the Somali crisis on Kenya.