Global General

UN urges quick action on Somali transition deal

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-10 10:11

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday welcomed a new agreement that extends Somalia's transitional period for another year, calling for its swift implementation.

Ban, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, "urges the Somali parties to swiftly implement this Accord within the framework of the Djibouti Agreement and in line with the Transitional Federal Charter," referring to the deal inked by Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Speaker of Parliament Shariff Hassan Sheikh Aden, in Kampala, capital city of Uganda.

Ban "also calls on the Somali parties to act resolutely to complete the outstanding transitional tasks, including the promotion of national reconciliation, constitution-making and the associated public consultation, and rebuilding the security sector," the statement said.

"The United Nations will continue to support efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to Somalia and urges the international community to provide timely support to the Somali Transitional Institutions and to the African Union Mission in Somalia," it said.

Political divisions between Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and interim parliament have undermined the momentum of the country's peace process.

The parliament voted in February to extend its term for three years after the end of the transitional period, a move rejected by the TFG, which has instead proposed extending the interim period for one year, saying it wanted to try to enhance political stability and security.

A planned consultative meeting of Somalia's leadership in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, later this month is expected to result in an agreement on a schedule for elections in the Horn of Africa country.