(As delivered)

Mr. President, honourable members of the cabinet, members of the press,

Good afternoon.

I am pleased to be back in Garowe today.

I thank President Said Abdullahi Deni and his administration for the warm welcome extended to me and my colleagues.  

I travelled today with Mr. Crispen Rukasha, the Head of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); Mr. Ezana Kassa, Head of Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); and Ms. Prestage Murima, the Deputy Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Our visit together underscores the unwavering commitment of the combined UN system in Somalia to support the government and people of Puntland.

The President and I discussed his government’s continued focus on advancing development priorities and responding effectively to humanitarian needs. UN efforts support the Puntland Development Plan, which is in turn aligned with the Somali National Development Plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Humanitarian aid provided through the UN includes extensive support to address food insecurity, health needs, and the requirements of Internally Displaced Persons, among many other activities.

In my meeting today with President Deni, we discussed the security situation and I commended Puntland authorities for their efforts in containing terrorist groups in Bari region, and for working to de-escalate clan conflicts over land disputes in Mudug region. The renewed incidents of piracy and the impact of the continued migration flows also require attention.

I welcome preparations by the Puntland Electoral Commission and the population of Nugal region for the start of the campaign for direct local elections, scheduled for 23 July in the three remaining districts, including Garowe. We hope these elections for local councils will build on the achievements of the local election held in May 2023, and further reinforce democratization as well as progress in the participation of women and youth.

President Deni and I also discussed a range of national issues of importance, including the campaign against Al-Shabaab, the constitutional reform process, and the next election cycle. While Somalia has achieved tremendous progress in recent years, we all know many profound challenges remain.

In light of this reality, I expressed the view that it would be to the benefit of the Somali people if the country’s senior leaders – the Federal Government President and Federal Member State Presidents – could overcome any outstanding differences and find a way to work together, to agree on solutions to these national challenges, and then to take action in unity.

To this end, I urge leaders in Mogadishu and Garowe, with the help of other Federal Member State leaders, to take the steps necessary so that they can resume working together cooperatively.

In conclusion, once again let me reiterate the United Nations’ commitment to working closely with President Deni and his government to support the advancement of the people of Puntland and all Somalia.

Thank you.