UNSC: Somalia's crisis risks sabotaging the fight against Al-Shabaab

SRSG JAMES SWAN BREIFED THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN SOMALIA [Photo: UNSOM]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United Nations Security Council [UNSC] has warned that the current political impasse in Somalia could scuttle the ongoing war against the Al-Shabaab militants who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

Over the last two weeks, sharp differences have emerged within the executive, pitting outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who have sharply differed on changes within the security sector.

In a lengthy statement, the UNSC urged FGS and FMS to ensure that any political differences in Somalia do not divert from the fight against Al-Shabaab. The security forces, it added, could shift focus to the political crisis instead of focusing on the fight against the militants.

Al-Shabaab has been terrorizing innocent civilians, security forces, and even senior government officials, killing thousands in the process. The international community has been instrumental in mitigating the terrorism risks in the Horn of Africa nation.

While the group has managed to seize a number of towns, security forces have in the recent past managed to vanquish them in strategic areas key among them Middle Shabelle and the Lower Jubba regions. Substantive gains have been made.

The UN Security Council members expressed deep concerns about the ongoing disagreement within the Somali Government and the negative impact on the electoral timetable and process; they urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and underlined the importance of maintaining peace

Also, the US mission to the UN highlights the need for Somalia's officials to resolve internal differences through dialogue and to prioritize the elections. "It is imperative the dispute be resolved peacefully and without delaying completion of elections," said USUN.

"We strongly agree on the need for Somali officials to resolve internal differences through dialogue and to prioritize the elections. It is imperative the dispute be resolved peacefully and without delaying the completion of elections," it added.

PM Mohamed Hussein Roble and outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo are battling to control the security sector and electoral timetable. The recently signed agreement of May 27 allows the PM to exercise executive powers on the two issues.

GAROWE ONLINE