Deputy UN Special Representative for Somalia visits Kismayo

16 May 2015

Deputy UN Special Representative for Somalia visits Kismayo

Kismayo - The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga visited Kismayo on 14 May 2015, where he met with the Leader of the Interim Jubba Administration (IJA), Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe and other members of his administration.

"I commend the IJA on recent achievements in the region, especially in the state formation process and the integration of regional forces. The recent inauguration of the Jubba Regional Assembly is an important step contributing to progress in the state formation process and the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreement [of August 2013, which established the IJA]," the DSRSG said while meeting the IJA leadership.

He also urged the IJA to continue to hold dialogue with all parties to resolve any remaining concerns on the region's state formation process through a broad and inclusive reconciliation process.

IJA Leader Madobe expressed his appreciation for support rendered to the region by the United Nations, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other members of the international community.

"I hope the international community will take decisive action to fight Al Shabaab and strengthen the SNA, which is most able to fight Al Shabaab," he said.

DSRSG Zenenga also congratulated the IJA on the steps it is taking, in cooperation with the Commission on Regional Militia Integration, to integrate 2,880 IJA forces into the Somali National Army (SNA). He highlighted the importance of developing and strengthening Somalia’s federal and regional security institutions, in particular, providing support for training police who play an important role in maintaining law and order in the community.

The DSRSG's visit included a meeting with the Minister of Gender, Family Affairs and Human Rights, Qamar Dek Khalif, who welcomed UNSOM's interest in supporting gender and human rights issues in the IJA. Ms Khalif expressed the need for capacity-building support to empower the Ministry to help victims of rape and other forms of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation/cutting and domestic violence.

DSRSG Zenenga reaffirmed UNSOM's commitment to gender issues in the IJA and the country as a whole, stressing the importance of including women in all Somali institutions, including in the police and the army. He also met and received briefings from AMISOM commanders and staff at UNSOM's regional office.