ADDIS ABABA ( Halbeeg News)-Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has met with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
On the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit, the meeting between the two leaders focused on enhancing cooperation.
Somali president has assured that Somalia is committed to strengthening its relationship with the UN saying his government will work more closely with UN agencies.
On his part, the UN General Secretary said the world body would work together to support Somalia’s state-building and peacebuilding priorities.
The development comes barely two weeks after President Farmajo met with Rosemary DiCarlo, UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs in the wake of the expulsion of UN envoy from Somalia.
Following their meeting, the UN and Somalia jointly said in a statement that strengthening their relationship.
“The Federal Government of Somalia and the United Nations look forward to deepening their long partnership to enable Somalia to continue to make progress towards a peaceful and prosperous future,” they said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu.
It said DiCarlo, who arrived in Mogadishu earlier on Wednesday held open, cordial, and frank discussions while committing to strengthening the relationship between the Somali government and the UN.
Early January, Somali government accused the UN special envoy of “violating protocols” and “deliberately interfering” in the internal affairs of the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation declared Nicholas Haysom, the exclusive representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia, a “persona non-grata,” saying the UN envoy is not welcome in the nation.
Three days later, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that he decided to appoint a new special representative.
Guterres “intends to appoint in due course a new Special Representative for Somalia and Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM),” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the secretary-general.
Discussion about this post