The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)
to March 31, 2017.
In a statement last Thursday, the council noted the importance of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
to the war-torn country's political affairs.
The unanimous decision by the 15-member Council followed agreement on the need to support peace and reconciliation. The aim is also "an inclusive, free, fair and transparent electoral process in 2016 and universal elections by 2020".
The Council asked the mission
to conduct a review of the UN presence in Somalia after the elections. This is to ensure the UN is properly configured to support the next phase of state-building in the Horn of Africa nation and to present options and recommendations to the Council by the end of January 2017.
It also called for an enhanced interaction with Somali civil society, including women, youth, business and religious leaders to ensure that different points of view are incorporated in the political process.
Last month, UN under secretary general for political affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Secretary-General's Special Representative in Somalia Michael Keating, met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and
the speaker of the Federal Parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari.
The meeting in Mogadishu reiterated the UN's support to the Somali people for agreeing on an electoral process for this year.
Al Shabaab militants have carried out several attacks in the capital , which the Council condemned. It urged a comprehensive approach, in line with international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, in fighting the al Qaeda-linked terror group.
The Council praised efforts by the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and the Somali National Army in fighting the militants. Amisom's mandate will be discussed in May.
Kenya has close to 4,000
soldiers in Amisom. The mission has been facing a shortage of funds after the European Union,
one of the main financiers, reduced its funding by 20 per cent.
Defence CS Raychelle Omamo urged the UN to urgently allocate more resources to the troop to win the war against al Shabaab.
“Amsiom must be treated in the same way that we treat any force that fight for the world peace.”
Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the security apparatus in Somalia lacked institutional, logistical and operational capabilities and was unable to fully integrate into Amisom's operations.
Amisom has suffered severe casualties in the last months after Al Shabaab staged a deadly attack on their bases.
Story updated