Monday March 9, 2020
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The UN has called for urgent meeting between the Federal Government and Federal Member States to find a solution to the long running disagreements between the two levels of government.
Noting that the impasse between the FGS and some FMS was the international community’s real concern, UN head in Somalia James Swan said it was time for leaders of the two levels of government to set aside their differences for the sake of the country.
“It’s the view of UN that Somalia leaders must urgently come together in the spirit of national unity to overcome differences and find consensus on how best to move forward in the interest of Somali people” Swan said during a joint media conference with Puntland President Abdullahi Deni.
Swan’s remarks come amid frosty relations between Mogadishu and FMS particularly Puntland and Jubbaland which have remained sour since President Mohamed Farmaajo came to office.
Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe rebuked the Federal Government Sunday during his address to the new parliament session noting there was no difference between it and the militant group Al-Shabaab.
President Farmaajo’s government declared last October it would not recognize Madobe’s presidency following a controversial poll there.
In his speech following a meeting with Deni in Puntland today, Swan also called for active participation of Federal Member States in realizing this year’s national priorities which include the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, strengthening security, debt relief and finalization of the federal constitution.
The UN envoy also called for an end to the violence in Sool and Sanaag noting there was need for concerted efforts by leaders there to find a lasting solution to the recurrent conflicts.