ARTICLE: ON VISIT TO DHUSAMAREB, UN SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR

ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE IN GALMUDUG

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DATELINE: 11 FEBRUARY 2023, DHUSAMAREB, SOMALIA.

ON VISIT TO DHUSAMAREB, UN SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE IN

GALMUDUG

Dhusamareb, 11 February 2023 – United Nations support for Somalia is set to step up a notch
following an agreement which paves the way for the establishment of a new office in the
country’s Federal Member State (FMS) of Galmudug.

The FMS’ President Ahmed Abdi Karie ‘Qoorqoor’ and the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy
Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho, today signed a lease agreement for land
at the Hero Drogo camp site in Dhusamareb, on which the new UN field office will be located.

“I thank President QoorQoor for his perseverance, his patience and his support to the United
Nations in identifying this location,” Ms. Gbeho said in a joint press encounter with the FMS’
leader at Galmudug’s state house.

“Once the office is completed, it will provide a platform for the United Nations family, and other
international partners, to support Galmudug in developing its institutions and delivering
services in an inclusive manner to its people, including in recently-recovered areas,” added Ms.
Gbeho, who also serves as the Officer-in-Charge of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia
(UNSOM).

“The United Nations believes in Somalia’s vision of a peaceful and a prosperous nation,” the
senior UN official noted, “we therefore look forward to establishing a physical presence in
Galmudug and deepening our cooperation with and support to the people and the government
of Galmudug.”

Currently, the United Nations family in Somalia has been supporting Galmudug remotely and
through regular visits. In her remarks, Ms. Gbeho said the world body will continue to ensure its
regular engagement and support pending the new office’s opening.
Accompanied by electoral and political affairs experts, Ms. Gbeho also discussed a range of
issues with the president and members of his cabinet, including cooperation between the
United Nations and the Galmudug government in areas such as elections, policing, stabilization,
human rights and more.

“We had the opportunity to touch base on several other important issues, including the
ongoing drought that has brought hardship to the people of Galmudug, the military offensive
against Al-Shabaab and the need for continued focus on Somalia’s state-building agenda,” Ms.
Gbeho said.

While in Dhusamareb, the Deputy Special Representative visited the site for the new office
before taking part in a signing ceremony for the land agreement with President QoorQoor.

Currently, the UN has similar offices in the country’s four other Federal Member States:
Jubaland, South West State, Hirshabelle and Puntland.