YouSaid · the spoken record

James Swan

lines on the record: 42
first: 2020-05-21
most recent: 2021-02-22
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The United Nations in Somalia continues its work with Somalis in all those areas, knowing that it will take persistence and perseverance. It is imperative that those larger future goals be borne in mind by Somalia’s political leaders. The Somali people have waited a long time to see progress, and it remains fragile. That is why I urge all Somalia’s political leaders to pull back from confrontation and avoid risky winner-take-all tactics. Instead, this is a time to pursue dialogue and compromise so as to reach an inclusive and credible political agreement to hold elections as soon as possible based on the 17 September model.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“The United Nations family also continues to work with the Somali authorities and partners on longer-term solutions to those recurrent humanitarian shocks. For example, our Mission’s environmental adviser is engaging the Government to develop climate-related policies and strategies, as well as practical responses to flood and drought cycles impacted by climatic conditions. While these quarterly briefings typically focus on the latest political, security and humanitarian developments, we must always remain mindful that enduring positive change for Somalis will require institution-building, improvements in governance, including through constitutional reform, investment in health and education, greater participation by women, young people and marginalized groups and other long-term reforms.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“That is the result of increasing food insecurity, climatic disasters, the worst desert locust infestation in decades and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, in recent weeks we have seen a renewed spike in COVID-19 cases in Somalia, which will only exacerbate the already difficult humanitarian situation. Somalia is eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access programme. The United Nations, in close collaboration with the Somali authorities, will ensure that the first batch of vaccines is effectively distributed to front-line workers and vulnerable groups across the country. While we are deeply grateful for the generous donor contributions in 2020, the humanitarian needs will continue to be high, and we again appeal for donor support to the humanitarian response plan for 2021, for which $1.09 billion is requested.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“We encourage the Government to continue those efforts and to hold the force generation conference announced by the Prime Minister as soon as possible. The Council-mandated independent assessment of the security situation and the role of international partners was submitted to the Council on 8 January, and the Somalia transition plan was updated and presented by the Somali Government to security partners and the African Union Peace and Security Council in early February. Those are all important elements to advance the security transition this year and lay the foundations for further progress in the future. The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains dire. The number of people in need of assistance will increase from 5.2 million persons last year to an estimated 5.9 million persons in 2021.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Important military gains were made by the Somali security forces, backed by AMISOM, in the Lower Shabelle region in early 2019 and again in early 2020, and those are now being consolidated to enable further progress against Al-Shabaab in other areas. The United Nations Support Office in Somalia remained steadfast in the delivery of support to AMISOM and eligible Somali forces throughout this period despite the complications of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Meanwhile, preparatory work to advance the security transition in Somalia in 2021 has been completed, as requested by the Security Council. The Federal Government organized meetings of the Security and Justice Committee and the Somalia Partnership Forum in early December, thereby advancing the comprehensive approach to security and the Mutual Accountability Framework.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“The longer national political attention continues to be focused on the current impasse over the holding elections, the greater the negative impact will be on other priorities, such as advancing security and economic reforms, finalizing the constitution and pursuing the development agenda. Al-Shabaab continues to pose the primary threat to the security of the country. Al-Shabaab has increased its operational tempo since August 2020, and the beginning of 2021 has seen a new peak in the number of attacks, including more person-borne and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, targeting Government officials and key figures in Somali society.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Core political freedoms, including those of speech, assembly, organization and access to media, must be ensured. And communication among the main actors — especially the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member state leaders — must continue on a regular and frequent basis to minimize future misunderstandings and resolve problems before they escalate. The United Nations and other international partners stand ready to walk with Somalis on this path forward by providing good offices or a forum for dialogue, offering technical assistance to the process and monitoring the implementation of commitments, should the Somali parties find these contributions useful.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“This would minimize further delays in Somalia’s four-year transition cycle, ensure that the chosen national leaders have a clear mandate and are widely accepted and allow the country to turn its attention from the current political competition to other vital national priorities in the interests of its people. To move forward on this path, it is imperative that Somali leaders use all available channels for dialogue and consultation, including contacts with a wide range of political stakeholders and influential civil society figures so that their important voices are heard. To build trust in the process, it will also be necessary to ensure that the management and oversight of the agreed electoral process are as impartial and independent as possible and subject to regular monitoring.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“In the light of this worrisome impasse, in recent days I have worked closely, alongside other regional and international partners, to engage Federal Government of Somalia and federal member state leaders, key political figures and civil society representatives to urge a way forward based on dialogue and compromise in the national interests. The message from partners has been clear that there should be no partial elections, no parallel processes and no unilateral actions by Somali leaders. Such approaches would lead only to greater division and risk of confrontation. Let me be clear: I remain convinced that the consensus-based 17 September model offers the best available option to proceed quickly to an electoral process for selecting members of Parliament, senators and a president.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“The committee announced that it had arrived at technical solutions for the contentious issues, reaffirmed commitment to the 30 per cent quota for women in the electoral process and noted the need for a revised but short new electoral calendar. On the basis of the committee’s work, the Federal Government called for a Federal Government of Somalia-federal member state leaders’ summit to be held in Mogadishu on 18 and 19 February. Yet events of recent days disrupted these plans, and the leaders of Jubaland and Puntland have so far regrettably declined to join the Federal Government of Somalia and other federal member states for a summit. Along with other partners, we continue efforts to understand and address the concerns of the two leaders so that they may join the process to advance the 17 September agreement.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“In the light of the above, let me briefly recap recent efforts to move forward with the implementation of the 17 September electoral model. At the invitation of the Federal Government, Federal Government of Somalia and federal member state leaders met in Dhusamareb from 2 to 6 February and made progress, but reached no final agreement on the contentious issues, namely, the composition of the electoral management bodies, the modalities for selecting representatives from “Somaliland” in federal institutions and the management of elections in the Gedo region of Jubaland state. Subsequently, the Federal Government convened a technical committee of senior ministers from the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states, who met in Baidoa on 15 and 16 February.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“The Government cites an October parliamentary resolution permitting the President to remain, but that is contested by others. Meanwhile, on the morning of 19 February, a day of protests announced by the opposition Council of Presidential Candidates Union, several violent incidents were reported. Although full details are unconfirmed, these incidents reportedly included armed exchanges between Government security personnel and security teams employed by the opposition, as well as recourse to live fire by Government forces to disperse protesters. Public communication from key leaders has become increasingly polemical and confrontational, revealing the frustration, mistrust and sense of grievance felt by many. Hence this is a tense moment in Somalia, as both rhetoric and actions are escalating.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Unfortunately, instead we are seeing increased brinkmanship, pressure tactics and tests of strength that can only heighten risks. The political stand-off among key Somali leaders has blocked the implementation of the electoral model agreed by the President of the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member state leaders on 17 September 2020. That model was formally endorsed by both houses of Parliament and supported by all other major political actors, but its implementation is in dispute. I will return to this point. Tensions over electoral implementation have now been compounded by questions raised by some political figures over the legitimacy of the President’s mandate following the expiry of his constitutional term on 8 February.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“Thank you, Madam President, for this opportunity to update the Security Council once again on the situation in Somalia. I am pleased to appear jointly with my dear colleague Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Let me take this opportunity at the outset to pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of the forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since 2007 alongside courageous Somali forces. Today’s meeting of the Council is timely in the light of the significant developments in Somalia in recent weeks and over the past few days. Growing political tensions threaten Somalia’s State-building progress, and even its security, unless they are resolved through dialogue and compromise in the interests of the country.”
2021-02-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/173 (2021) · source
“As the country focuses on the electoral process, the United Nations in Somalia will continue to press for the participation of historically underrepresented groups, among them women, youth and marginalized communities. They all have much to contribute to peace, stability and development in their country. The coming months will set the course of Somalia for the next several years. At this critical time, I am grateful for the Council’s support as our United Nations team strives to help Somalia’s leaders and people achieve national priorities.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“We urge the Government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the reform agenda in order to make progress on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative benchmarks until it reaches completion point. We look forward to the upcoming Somalia Partnership Forum, announced by the Prime Minister for early December, to take stock of the progress made since last year and agree on the priorities for the future. In conclusion, let me assure the Council of the ongoing engagement of UNSOM with Somali stakeholders to promote political cooperation in the interests of the country. Our good offices are aimed at fostering the widest possible levels of inclusion and consensus.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“Somalia has been hit hard by the triple shock of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, flooding and locust infestation. The national trends in COVID-19 cases are broadly favourable, but we must remain vigilant. I commend once again the Somali authorities for their rapid response to the COVID-19 outbreak and thank the Somali health workers who are working on the front lines to defeat the pandemic. I welcome the new five-year Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between the Somali Federal Government and the United Nations, which will guide the United Nations support for Somali-owned and Somali-led development priorities. The Framework aligns with Somalia’s ninth national development plan.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“It is through collective gains in the security realm that the space is created for the political process, governance and institution-building. Human rights and justice remain at the centre of our work for Somalia’s development. With elections approaching, I underscore my previous calls for the protection of political space, tolerance of divergent opinions, respect of free speech and association, and media freedom. I reiterate the concerns over the recent increase in instances of sexual violence against women and girls and the regressive legislation relating to sexual rights and freedoms that has entered the parliamentary process in both Mogadishu and Hargeisa, contravening international standards. Humanitarian needs remain acute.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“The updated transition plan will serve as a baseline for further discussions over the coming months in order to guide the role of the Somali security forces as well as external actors, including AMISOM, the United Nations and bilateral security partners. I welcome the plan announced by the Prime Minster to convene in early December the Executive Committee of the Comprehensive Approach to Security, also known as the Security and Justice Committee. I pay tribute to the Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia for their steadfast and courageous pursuit of peace and stability in Somalia. We also welcome the continuing support and commitment of federal member states to the development of Somalia’s rule of law and security sector.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“Continuing efforts aimed at protecting the Somali people and degrading Al-Shabaab’s capabilities must be the main objective of the national security forces, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other security partners, in particular as we enter the sensitive electoral period. Next year will be a transition year in which Somalia takes lead responsibility on security matters. That requires an agreement involving all security stakeholders on a strategic vision for Somalia’s security. The Federal Government has already started that work, as it is drafting an updated Somalia transition plan. It is crucial that that plan address the many long-standing challenges, including the need for realistic operational objectives, credible plans for force generation and clear coordination structures.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“In order to promote that dialogue, I recently undertook a series of visits to the capitals of federal member states together with Special Representative Madeira and representatives of the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. I understand that Prime Minister Roble has also started a tour of the regions to engage with state leaders in order to continue the dialogue, and we welcome that initiative. The security situation in Somalia remains of concern, with persistent attacks by Al-Shabaab, which remains the primary threat to Somalia’s security.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“Beyond elections, we also urge further progress through consensus on other democratic reforms, including the constitutional review process and the establishment of the Judicial Service Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Constitutional Court, inter alia. Political dialogue is also key to addressing other pressing priorities, including operations against Al-Shabaab, economic and security reforms and collaboration in tackling the multiple humanitarian challenges facing the country. We encourage political actors to institutionalize that dialogue among leaders — for example, through the newly formed National Consultative Forum.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“In September, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo appointed Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who subsequently named his Cabinet. The new Government has a challenging task before it, not only in steering the country through the electoral process but also in pursuing the reform agenda across the political, security and economic spectrum. The United Nations in Somalia stands ready to support the Government in advancing the national priorities. I commend the Somali leaders for their spirit of compromise in reaching an agreement between the Federal Government and federal member states. That spirit must now be sustained.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“Also pending is the finalization of the electoral security plan, with a view to ensuring that the elections are as safe and secure as possible and minimizing the risk that Al-Shabaab may disrupt or influence the process. In order to support those Somali-led efforts, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) plans to contribute to the implementation of the electoral agreement within the scope of its mandate and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia and international partners. We will also continue to make efforts towards universal suffrage elections in future. To that end, we urge Somali leaders to consensually prepare a road map with clear timelines and benchmarks in order to ensure that one-person-one-vote elections take place in 2024-2025.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“Going forward, that broad political consensus must now be preserved and deepened as the agreement is implemented. The agreed process must be conducted in a fair, transparent, widely accepted and peaceful manner, and it must be more participatory and inclusive than it was four years ago. We welcome the political leaders’ agreement to ensure a 30 per cent quota for women for seats in Parliament, and we urge full respect for that commitment. The electoral schedule foresees selecting the members of the two Houses of the Federal Parliament by the end of December and the election of the Federal President by the new Parliament in February 2021. Nominations to the electoral management bodies were several weeks behind schedule and remain the subject of some contention.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“When I last briefed the Council in August (see S/PV.8755), the Somali leadership was meeting to agree a plan for the 2020-2021 elections. In September, it reached consensus on an indirect electoral model, ending a two-year political stalemate between the Federal Government and federal member states. The agreed model of voting, regrettably, fell short of the constitutional requirement for the direct universal suffrage election of Parliament. Yet the agreement reflected broad Somali political consensus and ownership. In addition to being supported by the President and the leaders of the federal member states, the indirect model was also endorsed by other key Somali stakeholders, including political parties and members of civil society, and had been ratified by the Federal Parliament.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“I am grateful for this opportunity to update the Security Council on the situation in Somalia. I am especially pleased to be briefing the Council today as we are joined by the Prime Minister of Somalia, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hussein Roble; the Founder and Chairwoman of the Somali Gender Equity Movement, Ms. Zainab Hassan; and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, my dear friend and colleague Ambassador Francisco Madeira. We are meeting at a time when Somalia is facing critical decisions, with an electoral process in the coming few months to choose the country’s Parliament and President, a security transition to allow Somalis to assume lead security responsibility by the end of 2021, and urgent priorities with regard to humanitarian response and economic reforms.”
2020-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1136 (2020) · source
“We have temporarily reduced the staff working in Mogadishu and our field offices, but our colleagues are still working remotely from all over the world, remain engaged and continue to demonstrate their determination to support the people of Somalia.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“They must all work together with urgency if they are to address important national priorities in the interest of the Somali people. As directed by the Council in resolution 2461 (2019), UNSOM has supported efforts to accelerate regular high-level dialogue between the Federal Government and federal member states. The United Nations stands ready to support Somali initiatives on reconciliation and collaboration through inclusive dialogue. In conclusion, I wish to reassure the Council that United Nations forces in Somalia remain present, active and committed to delivering our mandate — despite the limitations and additional challenges resulting from the global pandemic and the ongoing security threats to our Mission.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“In those and other federal member states, we urge continued efforts to promote dialogue and outreach in all communities for the sake of inclusive governance in the interest of the people. With regard to Somalia-Somaliland relations, we welcome the ongoing dialogue at senior levels and are encouraged that both sides have indicated a willingness to maintain open channels of communication and pursue further discussions. We urgently call for commitment to dialogue and improved cooperation to extend to relations between the Federal Government and all of the federal member states. While relations between the central Government and some federal member states remain cooperative, we regret that it has been more than a year since the President and all federal member state leaders met.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“We welcome the recent inclusive conversations held among Somali security leaders and key international partners to discuss requirements and configurations for international support for Somalia’s security sector in the coming years. We look forward to continuing those discussions with a view to strengthening our collective efforts. Turning to developments with regard to the federal member states, we are encouraged by recent progress on dialogue and reconciliation in several of them. Those include Galmudug, where a broadly representative new cabinet has been appointed, South-West state, where elders have selected a new Parliament, and Jubaland, where former political rivals have agreed to work together and to pursue further reconciliation.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“I welcome the Federal Government’s commitment to revise the Somali transition plan by updating the timelines and identifying key tasks and gaps in response to the evolved threat from Al-Shabaab. The Federal Government has acknowledged the need for greater coordination, both internally and with international partners, as well as the need for additional non-military responses to the diffuse Al-Shabaab threat, such as addressing terrorist financing. The Government has signalled its commitment to promote a comprehensive approach to security, and we welcome that. Regrettably, COVID-19 has slowed the international partner training needed to generate forces for the fight against Al-Shabaab. That may impact operations, underscoring the need for an updated transition plan that reflects all changes to the force generation timeline.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“The group continues its intimidation and violence through improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mortar attacks, assassinations and other means. Within communities under its control, Al-Shabaab employs extortion and conducts illegal commercial and criminal activities. We regret that it has not embraced the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and that its terrorist operations continue unabated. With regard to the specific threat of IEDs, Somali security forces would benefit from additional support to counter that deadly menace. In that connection, I look forward to the briefing by the Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service later in this meeting.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“Since my most recent briefing (ibid.), Somalia has made progress in recovering areas occupied by Al-Shabaab. On 16 March, the Somali National Army and AMISOM liberated the strategic town of Janaale, in Lower Shabelle. Somali-led forces have held the town since then, and efforts by the federal and South-West state authorities to return governance, justice, the rule of law and stability to the town are ongoing, supported by UNSOS, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and other partners. Meanwhile, institutional reforms have continued in the security forces, including improvements to management and personnel systems. As set out in the threat assessment undertaken jointly in January by the United Nations, the African Union and the Federal Government of Somalia, the threat of Al-Shabaab has continued to evolve.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“Effective democratic competition also requires an enabling environment that protects freedom of speech, assembly and organization. I call on the Federal Government and federal member states to ensure these are fully respected, especially during this critical election year. Turning to the security situation, let me first pay tribute to Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for their continued sacrifice in the pursuit of peace. AMISOM completed the reduction of its troop ceiling by 1,000 troops on 5 March, as decided by the Council. UNSOS is currently providing logistics support to 19,626 AMISOM uniformed personnel as well as to 10,900 Somali security forces, supported by donor contributions to the Somali security forces trust fund.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“Somalia’s partners must then be ready to mobilize the technical support and financial resources needed for implementation. The work of the national electoral security task force must also accelerate to ensure the necessary security arrangements for voting to take place. Equally important, there will be a need for consensus-building among political leaders and across Somali society to ensure that the elections enjoy broad support and acceptance. In addition to the focus on elections, we also note the importance of Somalia making progress on other critical State-building priorities. These include the formation of the Constitutional Court, the Judicial Service Commission and an independent Human Rights Commission, as well as completing the review of the Federal Constitution.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“The coming weeks will be decisive in determining how Somalia will proceed to these elections. The parliamentary joint ad hoc committee is expected to present its recommendations for resolving the issues omitted in the electoral law passed in February. These include designating constituencies, allocating Upper House seats and guaranteeing 30 per cent of the parliamentary seats for women. Parliament must also adopt amendments to the political parties law to conform to the electoral code. The Chairperson of the National Independent Electoral Commission will also report to a joint session of the Houses of the Parliament on plans for conducting elections within the constitutional time frame: November 2020 for the Parliament and February 2021 for the presidential elections. These Somali institutions will determine the pathway to elections.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“In addition to its direct response, the United Nations family has supported the Government by engaging with and coordinating help from the broader donor community. On 23 April, the United Nations in Somalia issued the country preparedness and response plan for COVID-19, which consolidated United Nations system requests in support of the Government. Prior to the global pandemic, Somalia had set ambitious national priorities for 2020. These include the holding of the first direct, one-person-one-vote elections in Somalia since 1969. As the Council noted in November (see S/PV.8671), the holding of peaceful, inclusive, credible and transparent one-person-one-vote elections would be a historic step in rebuilding Somalia and would assist with the country’s continued democratic development.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“Somalia’s ability to respond to COVID-19 is greatly aided by its having achieved the decision point under the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative on 25 March. That historic milestone recognized Somalia’s improved public financial management and has now enabled Somalia to become eligible for the additional grant financing urgently needed to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. The World Bank and other partners have mobilized funding for immediate preparedness needs and budget support. The World Bank and United Nations agencies such as the World Food Programme are also fast-tracking economic recovery and cash transfer investments to help shore up livelihoods and resilience.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“United Nations agencies, funds and programmes have reoriented their activities to give priority to COVID-19. I will list just a few examples: the World Health Organization has expanded Somali hospital capacity, established isolation centres and supported testing laboratories. The United Nations Development Programme has provided generators. The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service have provided vital air transport and other logistical support. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is leading on coordination within the United Nations family and with partners. And much more is being done across all agencies, funds and programmes.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“The Federal Government projects an 11 per cent decline in nominal gross domestic product for 2020. Revenue generation has suffered from the closure of ports and airports. Vital remittances from the diaspora have dwindled by 40 per cent. The Federal Government and federal member states have responded quickly to the crisis within their means. A national COVID-19 task force was established in early March, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Hassan Khayre. Federal member states have created similar structures and also participate in the national- level coordination. Public-health messages are being disseminated, funds mobilized and medical and protective equipment procured. The United Nations family is working to reinforce the Government’s response.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source
“I wish everyone a good evening from Mogadishu and Ramadan Mubarak to our Somali brothers and sisters as we approach Eid al-Fitr. Somalia, like the rest of the world, is focused on confronting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Somalia has more than 1,500 recorded cases, although the actual figures are almost certainly much higher. The consequences for Somalia are acute. Even before COVID-19, more than 5 million Somalis required humanitarian assistance. The 2.6 million internally displaced persons are particularly at risk. Compounding the crisis, nearly 1 million Somalis are now affected by flooding, and the country also faces its worst desert- locust infestation in some 25 years. In addition to the medical and humanitarian effects, COVID-19 is also having a severely negative economic impact on Somalia.”
2020-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/436 (2020) · source