Friday May 22, 2020
UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday asked parties in Somalia to work together for peaceful elections and to advance the political process.
Somalia is entering a critical stage with the elections on top of its priorities, said Yao Shaojun, China's acting deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
The Somali president has signed the electoral bill into law. The national electoral security task force adopted its terms of reference and reviewed the draft concept of security for voter registration, he noted.
This progress fully demonstrates Somalia's strong willingness to promote peaceful elections. China supports all parties in Somalia to proceed from the fundamental interests of the country, enhance cooperation and dialogue, and jointly advance the electoral and political processes, Yao told the Security Council.
The international community should provide constructive assistance on the basis of respect for Somalia's ownership and leadership. China has consistently advocated African countries addressing African issues in African ways, he said.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has been playing a significant role in maintaining peace and stability in Somalia. China supports AMISOM in continuing to carry out its mandate, and in helping strengthen the capacities of Somalia national security forces so that they can gradually assume security responsibilities, he said.