Russia finds it important not to allow the situation in Somalia to deteriorate against the background of preparations for national elections, Russian deputy permanent representative to the UN, Anna Evstigneeva, made a statement at the Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
The diplomat noted that it was necessary to give time and create favorable conditions - political, socio-economic and security - to implement the commitment made by Somalis to 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 the right priorities," Evstigneeva said. - "We assume that the Security Council has already sent all the necessary signals in its statement to the press on September 18".
The Russian deputy permanent representative reminded that the main task of Somalis now is to complete the national elections. "Unfortunately, against the background of destabilization of the internal political situation the federal authorities had to again postpone the previously agreed date", - she continued. - "Now the completion of the electoral process should not be expected before the end of November."
"Besides, it's important to prevent further degradation of the already threatening security situation," Evstigneeva stressed, drawing attention to the terrorist attacks of Al-Shabab. The Russian side is waiting for proposals from the UN secretary-general, the African union (AU) and Somalia regarding the parameters of the further presence of the AU peacekeeping mission as required by the UN SC resolution 2568, she said.
The Russian deputy permanent representative 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. At the same time, about 4 million people are in the zone of special risk. The number of refugees and internally displaced persons is growing," Evstigneeva said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS