The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Michael Keating, has welcomed the decision of Jubbaland leaders to accept the Federal Government’s electoral model for 2016.

Jubbaland representatives expressed their concerns over the electoral model, particular their desire to move beyond the 4.5 clan power-sharing formula, but also said that in the interests of unity and progress, they would accept the electoral model decided on by the Federal Government. “The people of Jubbaland have stated their position, but we do not want to demoralize Somalis and also must not to be part of disputes that can draw back our people into civil war. All we want is to unite Somalis”, said Jubbaland President, Sheikh Ahmed Islam "Madobe".

The Jubbaland President made the remarks at a meeting attended by the UN SRSG Keating, who led a delegation with representatives from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union (EU), Ethiopia, Italy and Sweden to Kismaayo to listen to people’s views on the Federal Government’s decision on the electoral model.

“Things have changed, Somalis are taking their political future into their own hands. I think this is a call for celebration”, said the UN Special Representative to Somalia.

The delegation also met with members of the President’s cabinet and with the Jubbaland regional assembly, including the Speaker, civil society leaders, women’s groups, traditional elders and the business community.

Jubbaland representatives voiced their concerns and urged the UN and development partners to help the country to implement a political roadmap, with clear benchmarks, in order to achieve elections with universal suffrage by 2020.

SRSG Keating reiterated the UN’s position that a model had to be decided on to pave way for elections later this year, adding that consultations were important to reduce political instability and help tackle insecurity in the country. He emphasized that the international community does not have its own model, saying that international community, unlike in the past, was no longer deciding the future of Somalia.

The UN, he added, remains committed to supporting peacebuilding and state-building process in Somalia.