UN pledges enhanced support for Somalia's peace, state-building initiatives

MOGADISHU, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on Friday ended a two-day visit to Somalia by reaffirming the world body's support for the country's peace- and state-building.

DiCarlo said both the UN and Somalia aim to build on the commendable achievements and priorities agreed upon to address key development challenges.

"We stand ready to work alongside the Federal Government of Somalia to accomplish this," she stressed in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

In Somalia, the UN official met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and senior members of his team for wide-ranging discussions, as well as civil society representatives.

In her meeting with the president, DiCarlo noted Somalia's many past achievements, including debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, the accession to the East African Community, and the lifting of the arms embargo.

She congratulated Somalia on its election to the UN Security Council for the period of 2025-2026.

The UN officials also underlined the commitment of the UN to continue to support Somalia in the period ahead and work closely on the proposed transition to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia on Jan. 1, 2025. ■