MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 16 — United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia said on Saturday that Somalia has entered a new phase of political transition following talks held between May 13 and 15 involving the country’s political stakeholders.
The UN mission welcomed the resumption of dialogue and thanked international partners for their role in facilitating and supporting the discussions, but expressed regret that the meetings ended without fully resolving the key disputes between the sides.
In a statement, UNTMIS stressed the need for Somalia’s political leaders to demonstrate genuine commitment to continued dialogue in order to reach a lasting and broadly accepted solution, particularly on issues related to the country’s electoral model and wider political framework.
The mission also urged Somalis to unite in addressing the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis and the persistent security threat posed by the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab.
The statement comes amid rising tensions over Somalia’s electoral process and growing disagreements between the federal government and opposition figures over the direction of the country’s political transition.
UNTMIS further said it remained ready to continue supporting efforts aimed at strengthening political unity and overcoming divisions among Somalia’s leaders.
