Somalia, int’l community reviewing progress at HLPF as UNSC renews mission mandate

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 29, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somalia’s Federal Government and International Community representatives are reviewing progress of New Deal Compact at the second Ministerial High-level Partnership Forum (HLPF), a day after the possibility of ‘one man, one vote’ elections was quashed, Garowe Online reports.

On Wednesday morning, more than 120 participants including 30 international representatives gathered for the second phase of partnership forum at Mogadishu’s Adan Adde airport under the chairmanship of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and United Nations envoy, Ambassador Nicholas Kay.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in his opening remarks that political, economic and security progresses have been made in the past six months: “Participation, Inclusion and Good Governance are crucial and a hallmark of democracy”.

Continuing, Mohamud noted that provision of education and healthcare can be secured the future of children.

“We are confident the future of Somalia is bright, “he went on.

The meeting follows a resolution adopted by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to extend mandate of UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and reauthorization of African Union Mission.

Held under the theme ‘Delivering Results in Somalia,’ in attendance was also Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.

“What we have in Somalia is something relatively rare, and incredibly important. We see a country coming together,” Ambassador Kay had remarked at the onset of the two-day conference at the seaside airport.

Kay has indicated that a country once mired in conflict has now progressively better functioning governance whereby political dialogue is replacing rule of the gun.

“We shall not allow terror to rob Somalis of the brighter future they crave and deserve,” UN envoy stressed in his address to the forum participants.

The meeting will conclude with a communiqué on Thursday in the absence of Puntland and Jubaland administration at constitutional protest. 

GAROWE ONLINE