UN Envoy Says Spoilers Must Not Disrupt Somalia’s Peaceful Transition To Democracy
New York, Aug 14 2012 3:10PM
Spoilers seeking to block Somalia’s transition to democracy will face stringent action from the Security Council if they
continue to compromise the country’s political progress, the United Nations top political official for Somalia declared
today, while also confirming that the selection of Somalia’s new Parliament was on track and would usher in a new era of
peace, stability and democracy for the East African country.
After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country's
Transitional Federal Institutions implementing the Roadmap for the End of Transition, devised last September. The
Roadmap spells out priority measures to be carried out before the current transitional governing arrangements end on 20
August.
In an interview with the UN News Centre, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Political
Office for Somalia (UNPOS), Augustine Mahiga, acknowledged that the past 10 months of negotiations in the Horn of Africa
country had revealed numerous spoilers working to ensure that the political status quo was maintained and extended.
“We started with the warlords and, once they were contained, we came to see some parliamentarians who were trying to
extend their own mandates and, in so doing, they were obstructing the political process,” said Mr. Mahiga, who added
that the spoilers were “trying to dilute, obstruct, and even compromise” the integrity of the transition process through
intimidation, bribery, and influence pedalling.
Mr. Mahiga, however, emphasized that any interference in the democratic transition would not be tolerated and would be
sanctioned by the UN’s highest body.
“We have sent warnings but they are definitely going to be followed by actions which are backed by the resolutions and
decisions of the highest body in the region and in the world- that is the Security Council.”
In a statement issued yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced serious concern regarding delays in the selection process of the new Somali
parliament. Mr. Ban called upon the Somali political leadership, the traditional Elders and other parties “to rise above
their differences and to act in the best interest of the Somali people.”
At the same time, Mr. Mahiga has voiced optimism that the full selection of the new Somali parliament would happen by
the 20 August deadline.
“After the 20th of August, I expect Somalia to be more peaceful, more stable and more established in terms of democratic
governance. With their constitution in place this will be the basis for creating new institutions of governance,” said
Mr. Mahiga, adding that he was “very optimistic” that a new parliament would be selected by the end of the week.
“The Elders seem to have alternative names, the selection committee is certainly screening and is making sure that the
names they are receiving comply with the benchmarks and criteria established by the Garowe process,” he continued. “They
will carry the necessary consultation over the weekend and will be ready to carry out the election of the speaker and
the president at the beginning of next week.”
Aug 14 2012 3:10PM
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