MOGADISHU, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN senior envoy in Somalia has called leaders in Somalia's regional Puntland state to forge unity and consensus with Mogadishu to help overcome the federal-state impasse on how best to move forward.
James Swan, special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia who held a meeting with Puntland President Said Deni in Garowe on Monday said Somali leaders must urgently come together to address pressing challenges affecting their country.
"I also shared the international community's real concern about the risks posed by the current political impasse between the Federal Government and Federal Members States," Swan said in a statement issued on Monday evening.
"It is the view of the United Nations that Somalia's leaders must urgently come together, in a spirit of national unity, to overcome differences and find consensus on how best to move forward, in the interest of the Somali people," he added.
The UN envoy said progress and remaining challenges related to Somalia's national priorities for 2020 - including debt relief, holding 'one person, one vote' elections, strengthening security and finalizing the federal constitution - were among the topics covered during the meeting with president Deni.
Analysts say the holding of the 2020 universal vote is considered critical for the sake of entrenching the federal system of governance, which is required to appease communities and regions claiming systematic exclusion and marginalization for decades.
The election is also considered crucial because it would entrench political inclusivity, which is part of Somalia's roadmap to democracy.
"President Deni informed me of plans to hold, in the coming week, a Puntland-wide, inclusive consultation to discuss issues of importance to Puntland and the nation," Swan said.
"I look forward to learning of the outcome of this initiative," he added, noting that their talks also touched upon local efforts on economic development, democratization, and security.
The talks also focused on the new Puntland Development Plan - on which the UN team in Puntland has been engaging and looks forward to further support - as well as the work of the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission, which ties into the Puntland government's moves to implement its commitment to democratization and holding local elections.
