MOGADISHU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN senior envoy in Somalia on Tuesday promised to support the newly inaugurated president of Galmudug Ahmed Ducaale Geelle.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating said that the international community is ready to support Galmudug to implement the national security architecture, but that reconciliation is a prerequisite.
"Advancing reconciliation efforts is key to the stability of Galmudug. In order to establish a more inclusive and viable administration, dialogue must start sooner rather than later," Keating said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
He noted that Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a have common interests and a shared responsibility, namely to defend the area against the threat of Al-Shabaab.
"Dialogue must start as soon as possible," he said, welcoming the inauguration of Geelle as the President of Galmudug that took place in Adaado on Tuesday.
"I congratulate President Geelle. The members of the state legislature have handed you a great responsibility -- to provide leadership to deliver results for the people of Galmudug," said Keating.
"This includes jobs and economic opportunity, infrastructure and services, security and functional state institutions," he said.
He also urged actions to resolve the conflict in Galkayo, which requires continued action by local actors to manage the situation on the ground, as well as political leadership by state presidents to resolve constitutional differences, backed by the government.
"With Galmudug opening a new chapter today, I urge the Galmudug authorities, the state assembly, civil society and many others to join hands in support of peace, stability and economic development," said Keating.
