The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah said external interference is to blame for many of the woes facing the war torn country.

“Today, external political interference perpetuates instability and encourages illegal fishing, as well as piracy and other criminal economic activities,” he said.

The Cabinet was formed on March 1, last year a month after the swearing in of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh as president of the transition government. This was after UN facilitated talks in neighbouring Djibouti.

Mr Ould-Abdallah expressed confidence that the Somali Government, will succeed.

Have demonstrated

He said both leaders as well as the Speaker, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Madobe) have demonstrated to their people and to the region a strong and united leadership in addressing their nation’s many problems. Mr Ould-Abdallah said despite enormous difficulties including lack of political experience, security threats, absence of regular payments and many other challenges, the national leadership of Somalia has maintained its cohesion and shown a coherent approach in reaching out to their political opponents.

“On this occasion, I would like to sincerely congratulate and encourage them to continue their united and cohesive leadership. The success of their resilience and their strength is also that of the Cabinet, the Parliament and the Security Forces,” he said.

Source: nation.co.ke