MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – UN envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Haysom has reiterated his call for collaboration to solve ongoing disputes between Somali federal government and its states.
During a meeting with Southwest leader, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan in Baidoa town, Mr. Haysom urged the regional state leade to drop the tough stance against the federal government
“We’re exploring ways of bringing them together in the hope that Somalis can face down their problems together rather than going separately,” Mr. Haysom of their discussions.
The envoy warned that the political tensions between the leaders could be set back to the hardly gained achievements
“Basically, we’ve been telling them is what we’re facing is a quite serious political issue – the stand-off between the Federal Member States and the Federal Government may well paralyze our efforts to help Somalia get back on its feet,” he added. “And we’re asking all of the relevant role-players to get together to find a solution and to make the necessary compromises so that they can work collaboratively rather than against each other.”
In a separate meeting with the speaker of Southwest Assembly, Abdulkadir Sharif Shekhuna and the presidential candidates, Mr. Haysom called for free and fair elections saying “a credible and acceptable manner in accordance with the rules that they’ve established so that the result is accepted.”
“So we were reassured to hear from the speaker in regard to the detailed arrangements which will govern the election and we wish South West [State] all the best in holding those elections,” he noted, adding the importance of the polls being held in “a credible and acceptable manner in accordance with the rules that they’ve established so that the result is accepted.”
He urged the contenders to accept the outcome of the elections which will be closely observed by the United Nations.
“You’ll appreciate the elections in the South West State will be the first of the many elections to follow and in that sense will be setting the standard. It’s also clear that the elections will be contested, hotly contested, and for that reason, it’s important that the outcome should be accepted by those who participate,” Mr. Haysom said.
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