Tuesday August 26, 2025
Baidoa (HOL) — The Special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General for Somalia, Ambassador James Swan, met Monday with South
West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ and members of his
administration to discuss key state and national issues, including security,
election preparations, and humanitarian needs.
Regional leaders briefed the UN envoy on efforts to
strengthen security across South West State, highlighting the successful
recovery of Sabiid and Bariire in Lower Shabelle.
President Laftagareen also updated Swan on the voter
registration drive, including mobile initiatives aimed at ensuring the
participation of women, youth, internally displaced persons, and marginalized
communities.
“We also spoke about the challenges of supporting displaced
communities at a time of uncertainty in humanitarian funding. I assured the
President that, despite global funding shortfalls, the United Nations will
continue to do its utmost within available resources to assist those most in
need,” the UN statement said.
Ambassador Swan emphasized the importance of unity and
inclusive dialogue among Somalia’s political and Federal Member State leaders.
He noted that President Laftagareen has previously played a constructive role
in fostering dialogue and could continue to do so in the future.
Swan reaffirmed that the United Nations will remain a
partner to South West State and the Federal Government of Somalia in advancing
peace, state-building, security, and humanitarian and development priorities.
Somalia has long struggled to establish a stable electoral
system, with repeated delays and disputes over voting models stalling its
democratization process. The parties urged all political stakeholders to unite
behind the new framework as a way to end the cycle of uncertainty.