Russia can prevent destabilization in Somalia amid preparations for elections – Politics
UN, September 29. / TASS /. Russia considers it important to prevent the degradation of the situation in the context of preparations for the national elections. This was stated on Tuesday by the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Anna Evstigneeva, speaking at the Security Council Protocol.
The diplomat noted that it is necessary to give time and create favorable conditions – political, socio-economic and in the field of security – for the implementation of the commitment undertaken by the Somalis on a 30 percent quota of women in the future parliament. “In the Security Council, we must be guided by the political realities in the country and set priorities in the right way,” Yevstigneeva said. “We presume that the Security Council has already sent all the necessary signals in its September 18 press statement.”
The Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation recalled that now the main task of the Somalis is to complete the national elections. “Unfortunately, against the background of the destabilization of the internal political situation, the federal forces were once again forced to postpone the previously agreed terms. – Now the completion of the electoral process should not be expected until the end of November.”
“In addition, it is important to prevent security threats,” Yevstigneeva stressed, drawing attention to the terrorist attacks of the Al-Shabab group. The Russian side expects from the UN Secretary General, the African Union (AU) and Somalia proposals on the parameters of the further presence of the AU peacekeeping mission, as required by UN Security Council Resolution 2568, the diplomat noted.
The Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation stated that the humanitarian situation in Somalia remains difficult. “According to the latest data, the number of people in need of food and social assistance has reached almost 6 million people. At the same time, about 4 are in the zone of particular risk. The number of refugees and internally displaced persons is growing, ”Yevstigneeva said.