AU urges external actors to refrain from action that may undermine progress in Somalia

[Deeq A.]

The chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed concern on Sunday over increasing instances of external interference by non-African actors in Somalia’s internal affairs.

This threatens to disrupt the peace-building and state-building efforts currently underway in Somalia, Faki said during his meeting at the AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital with Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire of Somalia, according to an AU statement.

The interference also risks reversing the hard-won gains made through joint efforts of the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali security forces, he said, urging all concerned external actors to refrain from any action that may undermine Somalia’s progress.

The two leaders discussed the progress made so far by the Somali federal government in implementing a reform agenda in the political, economic and security spheres, the statement said.

The chairperson of the AU Commission commended the Somali government for its efforts to establish cohesive and inclusive politics, deepen federalism, resolve the conflicts affecting the country and advance peace-building and reconciliation.

Faki called on all Somali stakeholders to spare no efforts in ensuring a successful implementation of the agreed political roadmap.

Noting the economic reforms undertaken by Somalia, the AUC chairperson urged Mogadishu to continue with the efforts underway to rejoin the international financial institutions and set the country on the pathway to debt relief.

Khaire, for his part, paid tribute to the bravery of AMISOM forces, and expressed gratitude to the troop and police contributing countries for their efforts and sacrifices in the pursuit of peace and security for Somalia, the AU statement said.

Their commitment has been essential to Somalia’s progress, and AMISOM’s presence remains critical as the country moves in earnest toward full ownership of security responsibility over Somalia, Khaire said.

Source: – Xinhua net