MOGADISHU-Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has on Tuesday held meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at Villa Somalia, the Presidential Palace in the National capital Mogadishu.
The two officials discussed wide range of issues including the future of bilateral cooperation, priority plans for the Somali government, existing challenges, and areas where United Nations agencies operating in Somalia should focus to ensure the country’s recovery.
President Mohamud briefed the UN Chief on the progress made by the Somali government in the areas of national security, strengthening of partnership,economic development infrastructure, and federalism.
The Somali Head of State also touched on the ongoing drought situation facing the Horn of Africa Nation and the impacts it has on the Somali People.
“This is a visit to support the government and the democratic process in Somalia. This visit assures us that the United Nations is fully committed to supporting our plans for government building and stabilizing the country. We are confident that the Somali people will be able to overcome the problems and challenges they are still facing, through the completion of the liberation of the country and reconciliation,” said Mohamud in a statement posted on the State News Agency.
I received SG @antonioguterres at the State House today. In a joint press conference, we reaffirmed our commitment to sustaining the #Somalia-UN partnership through resilience-based investments & civilian stabilisation efforts, tackling the drought & consolidating security gains. pic.twitter.com/AlimtwHF9L
— Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@HassanSMohamud) April 11, 2023
President Mohamud expressed his gratitude to the UN Secretary General for finding time out of his busy schedule to visit Somalia and exuded hope that the UN will continue supporting the country in State building.
On his part, the UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed his delight on paying visit to Somalia thanking President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for extending welcome to him.
He observed that he is well acclimatized with the dire humanitarian situation in the country and reiterated UN’s continued support to Somalia in the fields of peace and humanitarian.
“I also want to ring the alarm of the need of massive international support,… massive international support because of the humanitarian difficulties in the county is facing, massive international support to the buildup the security capacity in Somalia and massive humanitarian support in stabilization and development of the country”, UN SG Guterres said.
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, I always visit Muslim countries, fasting in solidarity & sharing an Iftar.
Today, I am happy to continue this tradition in Somalia.
I thank President @HassanSMohamud for the warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/cvhLwnhfOX
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 11, 2023
“The United Nations is committed to supporting the Somali people in their efforts to build a better future for themselves and their children. We will continue to work with you to achieve your goals and aspirations,” Secretary Guterres said.
The SG who arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday morning left after the Press Conference for Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of South West State to observe and assess the humanitarian situation on the ground.
He is accompanied by Minister of Internal Affairs Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, UN Deputy Special Representative Kiki Gbeho and the Commissioner of the National Disaster Management Agency Mahamud Abdull Moallim Abdulle.
This is the second that Mr. Guterres is visiting the Horn of Africa Nation.
His first visit was in March 2017 during the reign of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.
