STORY: IN PUNTLAND, TOP UN OFFICIAL COMMENDS PROGRESS ON

LOCAL MATTERS AND URGES COOPERATION ON NATIONAL

CHALLENGES

SOURCE: UNSOM Strategic Communication and Public Affairs Group

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DATELINE: 13 JULY 2024, GAROWE, SOMALIA

IN PUNTLAND, TOP UN OFFICIAL COMMENDS PROGRESS ON LOCAL MATTERS AND URGES

COOPERATION ON NATIONAL CHALLENGES

Garowe,13 July 2024 – The top United Nations official for Somalia today visited its Federal
Member State (FMS) of Puntland, where he discussed a range of local and national topics with
its leader, President Said Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Deni.’

In relation to Puntland, efforts at improving security and lowering tensions figured prominently.

“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,” said the UN Secretary-General's Acting Special Representative for
Somalia, James Swan.

He was speaking at a joint press encounter with President Deni in the FMS’ capital, Garowe.
This followed meetings between Puntland's leader and Mr. Swan, as well senior members of
the former's administration and senior UN humanitarian and development officials who formed
part of the latter's delegation.

In his remarks, the Acting UN Special Representative also noted that renewed incidents of
piracy off the FMS’ coast, as well as the impact of continued migration flows through Puntland,
required attention.
On democratization efforts in the FMS, the top UN official welcomed preparations by the
Puntland Electoral Commission, and the population of Nugal region, for the start of a direct
local elections campaign there, scheduled on 23 July in three districts, including in 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,” Mr. Swan said.

Solutions for national challenges

On issues of national importance, President Deni and Mr. Swan discussed topics which included
the ongoing campaign against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, the constitutional reform
process, and the next election cycle.

The Acting UN Special Representative noted that, while Somalia had achieved tremendous
progress in recent years, many challenges remained, and highlighted the need for agreement
and cooperation.

“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,” said Mr.
Swan.

“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,” he added.

Humanitarian and development support

Another area highlighted during the meetings was the continued focus of the government of
Puntland 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,” Mr. Swan noted in his
remarks.

Mr. Swan travelled to Garowe with a small delegation of UN officials working in support of
Puntland and Somalia’s humanitarian and development goals. They included Crispen Rukasha,
the Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); Ezana Kassa,
the Head of Programme of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); and Prestage
Murima, the Deputy Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
operation in Somalia.
“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,” Mr. Swan said.

“Let me reiterate,” he continued, “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.”

This year, a budget of $120 million was allocated for humanitarian, development, peace-
building, security sector reform and democratization interventions led by 14 UN agencies, funds
and programmes active in Puntland’s cities of Garowe, Bosaso and Galkayo.

As part of his initial round of in-person meetings with Somali leaders, the top UN official has
already visited the Federal Member States of Jubaland, Galmudug, and South West State. He
met with Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in
Mogadishu.

James Swan was appointed to his current position by the UN Secretary-General António
Guterres on 14 May 2024. He previously served as the UN chief’s Special Representative for
Somalia and Head of UNSOM from 2019 to 2022.

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