Political gridlock in Somalia a threat to peace- UN Security Council

The United Nations Security Council has warned failure by the Federal Government and the Federal Member States to agree on political settlements is a threat to peace and called on the two sides to reach a consensus.

While noting the situation in Somalia continued to be a threat to world peace, the Council said in a resolution the two levels of government must give dialogue chance to resolve contentious issues, particularly on power and resources sharing.

In referring to Chapter VII of the UN Charter which mandates the Council to determine any threat to peace, the 15 member body noted thus; FGS and FMS [should] urgently accelerate progress towards an inclusive political settlement’ on three key areas.

It called for ‘agreement on resources and power sharing to be enshrined in the revision of the Provisional Federal Constitution, the establishment of governance and oversight structures, and the delineation of roles and responsibilities of Somalia’s security institutions.

The resolution follows breakdown of talks between the FMS and FGS leaders in Garowe early May which has since seen Puntland and Galmudug severe ties with the Federal Government.

The FMS leaders had called for a review of the Elections and Petroleum Bills among other issues noting the Bills lacked input from the FMS.

The implementation of the Security Pact and Transition Plans also suffered a major setback as the National Security Council failed to meet for a year now.

Article 39 of the UN Charter reads: The Security Council shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations, or decide what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or restore international peace and security.”