Joint statement by the UN, AU, EU, IGAD, UK and US Envoys to Somalia

Press Release

International partners welcome approval of new Federal Cabinet by Parliament

Mogadishu, 09 February 2015 – The United Nations, African Union, European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), United Kingdom and United States of America welcome the approval of the new Cabinet list by the Federal Parliament. They reiterated their call for the President, Prime Minister and the Federal Parliament to move expeditiously toward the implementation of the remaining Vision 2016 objectives through the new Cabinet approved by Parliament.

“We welcome the approval of the new Cabinet and we call on Somalia’s leaders and institutions to work together to accelerate delivery of the milestones of the Federal Government’s ‘Vision 2016’ which, together with the New Deal Compact for Somalia, remains the guiding framework for our engagement. It is now important to preserve the unity and stability of the Federal Government in order to stay the course in implementing the Vision 2016 agenda.”

“We are also encouraged by the inclusion of female Ministers. The participation of women, youth and minority groups and the commitment to work in an accountable way will remain vital as we move forward.”They said.

2015 is a critical year to ensure continued success on the road to sustained security and stability in Somalia and to improve the lives of ordinary Somalis.

International partners also condemn the murder, this morning, of Member of Parliament, Abdullahi Qayad Barre, who was killed by armed men in Mogadishu while on his way to Parliament. They call on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and offer their sincere condolences to the family of Mr Barre and to his fellow legislators.