UN PLEDGES CONTINUAL SUPPORT ROLES TO SOMALIA

UN says it is committed to offering support to Somalia in the areas of security management, empowerment, health, and food security amongst others.

James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said this during the Virtual Press Conference to mark UN Day.

Somalia according to Swan has, since independence, been a key member of the UN with adequate representations in many areas which include security mandated mission and over 20 agencies funded programmes.

He said logistic support to security apparatus such as AMISON and Somali central security is paramount to the UN especially in the area of coordination, peacekeeping contributions and causality evacuation among others.

He affirmed that efforts are on the way to support the nation in security area as there is a transformation plan for Somalia security need in 2021.

On internally displaced and refugees, the UN, according to Swan, also supports trust fund mechanism adding that agencies funds and programmes in Somalia are covering a wide range of humanitarian services and other human angle related issues for a better society.

On election in Somalia, he said the UN is playing a significant role in terms of good governance by encouraging dialogue, corporations, collaborations and compromise among the Somalia leaders, communities, political figures and other relevant stakeholders.

24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by member states as a public holiday.