UN hails efforts to solve political crisis in Somalia through proper parliamentary channels

Wide view of the Security Council Chamber. UN Photo/Loey Felipe (file)

Thursday, December 11, 2014

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UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday welcomed efforts to solve the current political crisis in Somalia "through the proper Parliamentary channels," saying that the 15-nation UN body will continue its "resolute support for the peace and reconciliation process" in the Horn of Africa country.

The UN Security Council, in a press statement, said that it noted Saturday's parliamentary vote of no confidence in the prime minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, and recent political instability in the country.

"The members of the Security Council welcomed the resolution of the current political crisis through the proper Parliamentary channels," the statement said. "They commended the prime minister of the Federal Government of Somalia for his acceptance of the result, and recognized the positive contribution he and his government had made to peace, security and development in Somalia. "

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed was removed from office after the parliament on Saturday voted him out of office in a motion of no confidence against his government, parliament speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari said in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

The council members recalled their visit to Somalia, and that of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, during which "both underlined the vital importance of a united political leadership in Somalia," the statement said. "The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the recent political instability in Somalia, and its impact on peace and stability."

The members of the Security Council reiterated their support for fast implementation of "Vision 2016." "In that context they underlined the importance of the president swiftly appointing a new Prime Minister, and the subsequent rapid establishment of an inclusive and representative government," the statement said.

The just-removed prime minister was nominated 11 months ago when his predecessor Abdi Farah Shirdon was sacked by the parliament after he was accused of failing to fulfill his duty. Ahmed is known to be in conflict with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and ministers allied to him.

Efforts by the international community and the speaker of the parliament to mediate the prime minister and the president failed after Ahmed refused to compromise from a reshuffle he made in the cabinet, which affected the former minister of justice Farah Abdulkader, the president's right hand man.

The dismissed head of government is the 10th Somali prime minister in 10 years and is the second prime minister of the new Somali government, which the world recognized for the first time in two decades.

"The members of the Security Council stressed that swift and sustained restoration of political stability is vital, at a time when operations against Al Shabaab continue, and when political progress, in line with 'Vision 2016', must accelerate," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council underlined their concern that further political instability in Somalia could jeopardize progress made so far towards peace and security," the statement said. "The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of the new political leadership in Somalia focusing on priority areas, including resuming the implementation and review of the Provisional Constitution and the passage of key legislation to establish electoral institutions."

"In this context they also emphasized the importance of Somalia 's leaders, including the new government, developing effective mechanisms to prevent prolonged political crises in the future," it said.

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