Somalia: Window to achieve necessary progress narrowing - Security Council Briefing

In his first address to the Security Council since taking office, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, noted the progress Somalia has made towards constitutional and security sector reform, among other priorities, but warned that the “window to achieve further necessary” progress is “narrowing.” Briefing the Council on the situation in the country, Swan said, in his travel around the country, he observed many examples of recovery, development, improving security, and functional state institutions. He said this progress is a testimony to the ambitious but achievable peacebuilding and state-building agenda, to which Somalia’s leaders are committed. However, Swan noted that key benchmarks “risk falling behind agreed timelines” and further progress “may be delayed without renewed dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders.” He stressed the need for political consensus and compromise. Turning to Jubaland, Swan said the UN continued to urge a single, agreed, consensual electoral process, without which there is an increased risk of instability if there is a contested outcome. He said, “Whatever the outcome in Jubaland tomorrow, I implore all stakeholders to show restraint, refrain from violence, and resolve grievances through dialogue.”