UN Expert: Stability becoming a reality in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Despite endless challenges in Somalia including but not limited to persistent Al-Shabaab attacks, a United Nations independent expert has noted, that the quest for stability in the Horn of Africa nation has become more real than before.

Ms. Isha Dyfan noted that there is a need for members of the international community to massively invest in the Horn of Africa nation, adding that despite the enormous challenges, most things have since been streamlined in the country.

Somalia, she noted, should now massively embark on investing in human rights to pave way for democratic institutions where key sectors such as media are given priority for the sake of democratization.

“I urge the international community not to relent in its support, at this last stage, when stability is increasingly becoming a reality in Somalia,” the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Somalia, Isha Dyfan, said at a press conference in the capital, Mogadishu, during which she shared some preliminary observations and recommendations on some key issues.

Ms. Dyfan now wants the international community to invest in Somalia's federal member states on matters of health, security, and justice systems. There have been tussles between the Federal Member States [FMS] and the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS].

“I call upon the international community to continue its assistance to Somalia towards strengthening the Federal and Federal Member State institutions, in particular, the security and justice institutions as well as the health system,” she added. "And addressing the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights, by ensuring access to basic social services including drinking water, sanitation facilities, housing, health care education for all children, in particular, the girl child".

Ms. Dyfan was speaking at the end of a week-long visit to Somalia. It was her first since being appointed in May 2020 by the UN Human Rights Council to the post, which involves assessing, monitoring, and reporting on the situation of human rights in the Horn of Africa country, with a view to making recommendations on technical assistance and capacity-building.

Besides political instability, inter-clan wrangles, drought, and regional militia, Somalia is also battling the Al-Shabaab menace which has derailed peacekeeping mission. Currently, there are close to 22,000 serving in African Union Transition Mission in Somalia now called ATMIS.

GAROWE ONLINE