MOGADISHU (SD) – The Acting Special Representative of the United Nations, James Swan, had a phone conversation today with former Somali Presidents Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in Mogadishu.

According to a statement from the UN office in Somalia, the discussions focused on the ongoing developments in the country and how to advance the existing progress further.

Sheikh Sharif and Farmajo, currently in Mogadishu and Doha respectively, oppose the Federal Government, strongly opposing President Hassan Sheikh’s plans to amend and complete the country’s constitution.

James Swan, who was recently reappointed to the office of UNSOM in Somalia, has begun engaging with some of Hassan Sheikh’s political opponents. The reasons behind these political engagements are not yet clear.