Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, condemned violence and attacks targeting civilians during a UN Security Council videoconference held on February 22 to discuss the situation in Somalia and activities of the UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM). 

In During his speech, Ambassador Quy called on the Somalia Government and federal member states to promptly resume talks and set aside their differences to in an effort to achieve a political agreement about regarding the time and plan schedule for future elections.

The local diplomat also showed his concern over regarding violence against citizens, using the platform to and condemned the Al-Shabaab’s violence and attacks against targeting the civilians, urging the Somali Government to work closely with alongside UNAMISOM to carry out measures which can ensure security ensuring measures.

He therefore recommended proposed that the UN, as well as regional and international organisations, boost aid for the country via humanitarian programmes and economic development projects. Moving forward, Somalia will continue to receive Vietnamese , while reiterating Vietnam’s support for Somalia in its efforts towards to enjoy peace, stability, and development.

James Swan, special representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UNSOM James Swan, Francisco Caetano José Madeira, special representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Francisco Caetano José Madeira, and Rita Laranjinha, managing director of the EU’s European External Action Service Rita Laranjinha,  presented reports at the event.

Speakers noted that the various Government and federal member states of Somalia have made dialogue efforts to aimed at resolving disagreements over election processes. However, participants also , but expressed regret that these dialogues have so far failed to reach any agreements recently.

They therefore urged all relevant sides to soon resume negotiations and hold elections in accordance with the deal which was secured on September 17, 2020.

Some Furthermore, several participants also voiced concern over the Al-Shabaab militant group’s terrorist attacks, particularly their use of  using improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings targeting which target civilians, along with  and security and international forces there.

They held stated that Somalia has continued to face a humanitarian crisis caused by the impact of flooding, locusts, and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), asking thereby calling upon the international community to keep maintain its assistance to the Somali assisting its Government and people to in an effort to help overcome this these challenges.

The UNSOM was originally set up in 2013 with for the purpose of assisting the peace and reconciliation process and the capacity building for the Somali Government. Since then, the UN Security Council has maintained carried out meetings every three months to in order to listen to reports on regarding the mission’s activities.