Secretary-General, Welcoming Inauguration of Somalia’s Federal Parliament,

Urges New Chapter in Nation’s History after 20-year Wait for Peace

The following statement was issued on 20 August by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the inauguration of the new Federal Parliament of Somalia today in Mogadishu.  He congratulates the people of Somalia on reaching this watershed moment on their road to peace, stability and political transformation.

The Secretary-General commends the courage and tenacity of the Technical Selection Committee and Somalia’s traditional elders, who have worked steadfastly, in the face of immense pressure, to select and approve a new Parliament that is credible and representative of the national character of Somalia.  He urges them to complete the nomination and vetting of remaining candidates, to ensure that the full complement of the new Parliament is able to sit within a few days.

The Secretary-General calls on the parliamentarians to discharge their new responsibilities with courage and integrity, in the interests of all Somalis.  He encourages them to complete urgently preparations to elect a Speaker, Deputy Speaker and President for the New Federal Republic of Somalia, so that the transition can be ended in line with the Djibouti Agreement, the Kampala Accord and the Garoowe Principles.

The Secretary-General urges all actors to ensure that the final steps to end the transition are completed promptly, peacefully, and in an environment free from intimidation.  The Somali people have waited 20 years for peace to take root in their country.  Now is the time to begin a new chapter in their history.

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For information media • not an official record