UN pushes for urgent reconciliation between FGS and FMS ahead of elections in Somalia

GAROWE, Puntland - The United Nations [UN] has emphasized the need for urgent reconciliation between the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS] and Federal Member states [FMS], amid escalating divisions, which threaten Somalia's program among these elections.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who is facing a re-election debacle later this year, has been at loggerheads with the Federal States, some even accusing him of "secret plot" to destabilize regional governments.

For instance, the recent invasion in Gedo, Jubaland, and Dhusamareb, Galmudug capital by Somali National Army [SNA], has ignited retribution from Somalia's international partners, who believe that the actions are "unwarranted".

James Swan, the UN envoy to Somalia, on Monday, reiterated the need for dialogue between FGS and the Federal States during his trip to Garowe, where he held a closed-door meeting with Puntland president Said Abdullahi Deni and Vice president Ahmed Karash.

Among others, Somalia earmarked debt relief, universal suffrage polls in 2020-2021, finalization of the Federal constitution and strengthening of national security as key targets for this year's goals, Swan said. 

But the targets could be hampered due to persistent squabbles between the two entities, forcing the UN to stress on the need for urgent reconciliation, before the stalemate escalates to the detriment of Somalis.

“I also shared the international community’s real concern about the risks posed by the current political impasse between the Federal Government and Federal Members States," Swan said in Garowe.

"It is the view of the United Nations that Somalia’s leaders must urgently come together, in a spirit of national unity, to overcome differences and find consensus on how best to move forward," he added.

Besides the alleged plot to overthrow a section of regional leaders, Farmajo is also accused of a secret plan to extend his term in office, and unwillingness to negotiate on the controversial Petroleum Law by the Federal States and opposition leaders.

The Somali Federal states insist that most of the laws were being enacted without proper consultation, thus subjecting regions to prejudices at the expense of federal government, reports indicate.

Last month, Farmajo assented to electoral and petroleum laws, although they are still fiercely contested by federal states. He has, however, denied "ill-motives" with regard to his decisions.

At Puntland presidential palace, Deni and Swan also discussed local and national development matters, in which the northeastern Federal state president also revealed plans for a regional consultative meeting over issues affecting Somalia, the envoy said.

“President Deni informed me of plans to hold, in the coming week, a Puntland-wide, inclusive consultation to discuss issues of importance to Puntland and the nation,” Mr. Swan said. “I look forward to learning of the outcome of this initiative.”

Also, they discussed the matters of democracy and security in the semi-autonomous state, which is fairly stable due to few cases of Al-Shabaab raids. They further discussed the need for democratic local elections.

The UN envoy raised concerns about recurrent violence in Sool and Sanaag, in which Puntland troops have persistently clashed with their counterparts from neighboring Somaliland. Both sides have been fighting over the control of the contested regions for many years.

On the other hand, Farmajo is set to visit Kenya following recent clashes in Balad-Hawo which spilled over to Kenya, causing a standoff between the two nations. FGS accuses Kenya of backing Jubaland administration.

The US-engineered a phone call between Farmajo and President Uhuru Kenyatta, who had issued a warning against Somalia. Washington believes the SNA and Jubaland forces clash could give room for Al-Shabaab resurgence.

Ahmed Madobe, the Jubaland leader, last week also called for dialogue with the federal government, arguing that the Mogadishu administration should "stop behaving like Al-Shabaab" during his address in the regional assembly.

GAROWE ONLINE