Dhusamareb (SD) – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released a report on a meeting between a delegation led by Ambassador James Swan and Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye Qoor-Qoor in Dhusamareb.

“I am here with the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Francisco Madeira; also the European Union’s Deputy Head of Delegation to Somalia, Nicole Miller; and from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Head of Mission, Jamal Ahmed Ibrahim.” Said an statement from UN envoy.

James Swan said President Qoor-Qoor discussed the importance of continuing co-operation between the federal and state leadership.

“In our meeting today with the President, we discussed the importance of continuing good relations between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States. We have been encouraged by the revitalization of the dialogue between the Federal Government and all of the Federal Member States. In this respect, I would like to commend, on behalf of our group, President Ahmed Abdi Kariye for his leadership in hosting the series of meetings in Dhusamareb in July and August leading to the consultative meetings in Mogadishu last month during which the agreement on the elections model was reached.”

The UN Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, was accompanied by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, EU Deputy Ambassador to Somalia Nicole Miller and members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The statement added, “This will include ensuring that the 30 per cent quota for women’s representation in the parliamentary elections is achieved and that the delegate selection committees include diverse representation.”

Swan said they are assisting the Galmudug administration in providing security, and welcomed the presence of AMISOM troops in Galmudug to support the Somali security forces.

James Swan said that their visit to Dhusamareb today was their second visit to one of the country’s regional capitals this month, and thanked the people and the President of Galmudug for the warm welcome.