Finnish Ambassador to Somalia Joined UNSOM and Somalia’s International partners in welcoming the proposal by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’ on 14 June to convene a meeting between the Federal Government of Somalia and all five Federal Member State Presidents and the Governor of Benadir Region (Mogadishu), to be preceded by an initial virtual meeting.
Somali Federal government and regional member states has been at odds recently as the country’s election approaches and prolonged dispute between Federal government of Somalia and Federal member states could possibly backfire efforts by the international community in helping Somalia overcome its current challenges and stand its feet.
#Finland joins @UNSomalia and international partners in calling upon Somalia’s leaders to seize this opportunity to agree a way forward on pressing national priorities, including #elections , for the benefit of all #Somali people. https://t.co/LkNhhJTonL
— Erik Lundberg (@Ekilundberg) June 15, 2020
“Finland joins UN in Somalia and international partners in calling upon Somalia’s leaders to seize this opportunity to agree a way forward on pressing national priorities, including elections, for the benefit of all Somali people.” Erik Lundberg, Finland Ambassador to Somalia said on twitter post.
Mr, Lundberg is also in addition to Somalia, Finland’s Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Seychelles & Permanent Representative to UNEP & UN-HABITAT.
In a statement by Somalia’s presidency recognized Jubbaland president Ahmed Mohamed Islam to become an interim president for two years in what the statement said it considered requests by Somalia’s international partners and the need to hold elections inline with the country’s constitutional framework. However, Jubbaland State of Somalia issued a counter statement denouncing Villa Somalia’s offer and called it a violation of both the Jubbaland and provisional federal constitution, a likely dispute that could further delay the elections.
Finland, UN in Somalia and the international partners – African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, European Union, France, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United Nations – in a joint statement welcomed continued efforts at dialogue, reconciliation and compromise among political leaders and further welcomed the pursuit of solutions to political differences without violence and in a spirit of pragmatism and inclusivity, including in Jubaland.
Finland has been a key partner in Somalia’s reconciliation and peace process and played major roles in state and district formations, among other development aspects.
