MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, has begun a series of high-level meetings with leaders of Somalia’s federal member states in a bid to build consensus ahead of a planned National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting.
Swan’s tour began in Galmudug, where he met on Tuesday with President Ahmed Abdi Kariye. On Wednesday, he travelled to South West State and held talks with President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) and other regional officials.
The UN envoy’s diplomatic efforts are aimed at encouraging broader participation in the NCC process, which seeks to address long-standing political disputes and chart a path forward for Somalia’s electoral framework.
“Inclusivity and consensus are critical for Somalia’s stability,” Swan said during the visit. He emphasized the need for a unified national dialogue that brings together political stakeholders and civil society.
Swan is expected to visit Puntland and Jubbaland later this week, with a scheduled stop in Garowe, where he is due to meet Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni. Discussions are expected to focus on the role of federal states in shaping the NCC agenda.
The envoy also expressed support for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s efforts to convene a national platform that fosters cooperation and counters the ongoing threat posed by armed groups.
The visits come at a time of renewed international attention on Somalia’s political process, amid concerns over fragmentation and delays in implementing key reforms.
HORN LIFE
