UN envoy to Somalia pledges collaboration with AMISOM

Ambassador Francisco Madeira (left), the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, shakes hands with James Swan, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, at the end of a meeting at the AMISOM Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu.

Mogadishu - The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan recognised the critical role played by AMISOM troops in ongoing efforts to stabilise Somalia.

Mr. Swan, who was appointed to the position by the UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres in May this year, arrived in Mogadishu, Somalia on 25 June to take up his new assignment. In his first engagement, Mr. Swan met with senior officials of AMISOM led by Ambassador Francisco Madeira.

Mr. Swan, who was accompanied by UN officials, said, “We have no more important non-Somali partner than the African Union. This relationship is critical to our collective regional and international efforts to support Somalia and the Somali people.” Present in the meeting were Simon Mulongo, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia and the AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn. Other officials included Raisedon Zenenga the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Somalia and Brig. Simon West the UNSOM Senior Military Advisor, AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. Nakibus Lakara, and the Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner Rex Dundun. Mr. Swan saluted AMISOM troops for fighting armed groups and pledged cooperation to restore peace in Somalia.In his remarks, Ambassador Madeira said AMISOM would benefit from Mr. Swan’s vast knowledge of Somalia.

“We will seek coordination, collaboration, and harmonisation of positions to ensure that aspects of inclusive politics are enhanced in order to yield results,” said Ambassador Madeira.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, James Swan, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia and other senior officials in a group photo after a meeting at the AMISOM Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, James Swan, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, and other senior UN and AMISOM officials in a meeting at the AMISOM Mission Headquarters in Mogadishu.