April 01, 2026 05:21 pm (IST)
Follow us:
UN calls for resolution of Somalia political crisis
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The United Nations, the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Tuesday issued a joint appeal for a resolution of the political crisis in Somalia, adding that they stand ready to hold to account anyone who poses an obstacle to progress in the Horn of Africa nation.
“Ongoing political instability does not serve the interests of Somalia or its people. Somalia cannot afford a return to the cycle of deadlock and infighting between political actors that paralysed governments since 2000,” said a joint statement issued by the three partners.
They noted that the development of a federal system, the constitutional review process and preparation for 2016 elections are behind schedule.
“The Constitution sets out clear roles and tasks for all Federal institutions, including Parliament, the Executive and the Presidency. Somalia needs continuity and stability. But it also needs faster and greater delivery by all,” they stated.
The statement called on the Executive, led by Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, to take “timely and decisive” action to create greater national unity, improve security and expedite progress on federalism, the constitution and elections.
“International partners stand ready to support all moves that will enhance peacebuilding and state-building and to hold to account anyone who poses an obstacle to such progress,” it added.
The statement comes in the wake of the 24 May attack on the Somali Federal Parliament by the militant group known as Al-Shabaab, which had also claimed responsibility for killing two parliamentarians in Mogadishu in less than 48 hours last month.
The UN, EU and IGAD said Saturday’s attack shows the need to redouble efforts towards peace and state-building in Somalia.
Briefing the Security Council last week, Nicholas Kay, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), noted that while the new Government has injected fresh momentum, progress on state-building has not been as fast as needed.
He recalled that when he last briefed the Council in March, the Federal Government was close to finalizing a detailed blueprint for building a Federal Somalia, revising and implementing the constitution, and preparing for elections in 2016. “Unfortunately, this critical plan, with timelines and benchmarks, remains pending,” he stated.
(A policeman directs traffic at a checkpoint in downtown Mogadishu, Somalia. UN Photo/Tobin Jones)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Iran conflict: After Saudi, UAE considers ground deployment as push to reopen Hormuz intensifies
Wed, Apr 01 2026
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threaten major US tech firms with retaliatory strikes starting April 1
Tue, Mar 31 2026
'Come close, we are waiting for you': Iran signals warning as US expands military options in Middle East
Tue, Mar 31 2026
‘Go get your own oil’: Trump signals hardline shift as Hormuz blockade deepens global fuel crisis
Tue, Mar 31 2026
UN diplomat quits, alleges nuclear strike scenario in Iran
Mon, Mar 30 2026
“This is not our war,” German Chancellor Merz says as Trump faults Germany on Hormuz
Sun, Mar 29 2026
13-year-old boy fatally stabbed in Germany; father detained
Sun, Mar 29 2026