Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN. Photo: VNA

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UNSOM James Swan, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Francisco Caetano José Madeira, and Managing Director of the EU’s European External Action Service Rita Laranjinha presented reports at the event. Somali Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud Abubakar also delivered remarks.

Speakers noted that the Government and federal member states of Somalia have made dialogue efforts to resolve disagreements over election processes, but expressed regret that these dialogues haven’t reached any agreements recently.

They appealed to relevant sides to soon resume negotiations and hold elections in accordance with the deal secured on September 17, 2020.

Some participants also voiced concern over the Al-Shabaab militant group’s terrorist attacks using improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings targeting civilians and security and international forces there.

They held that Somalia has continued to face a humanitarian crisis caused by impacts of floods, locusts, and COVID-19, asking the international community to keep assisting its government and people to weather this challenge.

In his speech, Ambassador Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, called on the Somalia Government and federal member states to promptly resume talks and set aside differences to achieve a political agreement about the time and plan for elections.

The diplomat also showed his concern over and condemned the Al-Shabaab’s violence and attacks against civilians, urging the Somali Government to work closely with AMISOM to carry out security ensuring measures.

Quy recommended the UN, as well as regional and international organisations, boost aid for the country via humanitarian programmes and economic development projects, while reiterating Vietnam’s support for Somalia in its efforts towards peace, stability, and development.

The UNSOM was set up in 2013 with a view to assisting the peace and reconciliation process and the capacity building for the Somali Government. Since then, the UN Security Council has maintained meetings every three months to listen to reports on the mission’s activities.  VNA

Vietnam supports democratic process in Somalia: Diplomat

Vietnam supports the democratic process in Somalia, particularly the upcoming elections, Minister Counsellor Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has said.