World
UN in Somalia welcomes recovery of port city from insurgents
“I encourage any remaining Al-Shabaab to lay down their ar Now is the time for peace and political progress for all Somali people,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay.
He called the recovery by the Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces a “critical milestone” in the country\'s path to peace and stability.
After decades of factional fighting, new Somali national institutions emerged in 2012, as the country ended a transitional phase toward setting up a permanent, democratically-elected Government.
The SNA and AMISOM have been pursuing a renewed offensive against Al-Shabaab insurgents, who in 2011 were forced to retreat from the capital, Mogadishu.
The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which Kay leads, was established in 2013 by the UN Security Council. It is mandated to support the Federal Government of Somalia with its peace and state building agenda and to strengthen Somalia\'s security sector, promote respect for human rights and women\'s empowerment and assist in the coordination of international assistance.
A sniper serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is seen at daybreak on a frontline position. Credit: UN Photo/Stuart Price.