Thursday June 7, 2018
MOGADISHU, June 7 (Xinhua) -- International partners on Thursday lauded Somali leaders who reaching agreements on security, economy and electoral issues during the recently concluded National Security Council meeting held in Baidoa in southwest Somalia.
In a joint statement, the foreign envoys from the United Nations, the European Union (EU), United States, Britain and the African Union (AU) among others commended the leaders for reaching key agreements on the transition plan, revenue sharing, and the electoral model for the 2020 one-person, one-vote elections.
"As Somalia enters a new phase in its relations with international financial institutions, its partners encourage Somalia's leaders to continue working in the spirit of unity," the partners said.
The foreign envoys also called on the leaders to speed up the implementation of these agreements reached during the meeting which also resolved to equip its forces and enhance their skills to take charge of the country's security after the AU force withdraws from Somalia.
The June 3-5 conference attended by the country's top leaders, regional leaders, security officials and ministers urged Somali security forces to secure and reopen the main supply route linking Baidoa and other towns.
The leaders also passed the Transitional Plan which requires AMISOM to prepare Somali national security institutions to take over the country's security once the AU mission's mandate comes to an end within four years.
The international partners commended the Somali leaders including Federal Member States, Benadir region, and represented ministries for building consensus on critical issues that provide the basis for further progress, including the conclusion of the constitutional review process.
The partners also lauded the conference which wrapped up on Tuesday for defining the Somali federal model, and set the stage for a constructive Somalia Partnership Forum, which the government, the EU and Sweden will co-host in Brussels on June 25 and 26.