MOGADISHU (SD) – The UN Secretary-General spoke by telephone with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to discuss a range of issues, including elections, security, drought and the new ATMIS operation.

In a statement issued at the United Nations, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President Farmajo discussed speeding up the electoral process in Somalia.

The secretary-general told president Farmajo that he hoped the election process would be concluded soon and that the current issues would be resolved through dialogue.

The Secretary-General shared with President Farmajo his support for Somalia, especially in light of the recent rise in Al-Shabaab attacks and the severe drought in Somalia.

The Secretary-General also expressed his support for the new African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), wishing Somalia a full and lasting security.