Saturday, April 27, 2013
UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on
Thursday (April 25th) recommended the establishment of an in-country UN
mission to support the Somali government, the UN News Centre reported.
"The new mission represents a fresh start for the United Nations in
Somalia and a renewed commitment by the council to support Somali-owned
peace-building," Feltman said in an appearance before the Security
Council.
The mission would replace the UN Political Office for Somalia based
in Nairobi, and its role would be "to act as an enabler, helping to
create and galvanise the political and strategic environment in which
stabilisation and peacebuilding can proceed, including by leveraging
other parts of the UN system and international partners".
Feltman emphasised the importance of rebuilding Somalia's military
capacities, and said the African Union Mission in Somalia force was
reaching its "operational limit".
He also praised President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the federal
government's commitment to the six-pillar policy for stabilisation and
peace-building in Somalia.