Hargeisa:– Issues ranging from women’s participation in politics to the relationships between peace and development were among the topics covered by a senior United Nations official during a two-day introductory visit to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, which ended today
“The reason I came was to learn, to understand what the issues are and to see how we can continue supporting, continuing our partnership as the United Nations in Somaliland. I met a cross-section of Somaliland. I met civil society organisations and opposition parties, I met ministers and I was privileged to meet President [Muse] Bihi, and our discussions covered a range of issues,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho, at the end of her visit.
“I also discussed with the ministers the diversity of threats to development to Somaliland, ranging from social inclusion, through climate change to youth unemployment,” she added. “The president himself emphasized that development was critical – critical for progress for Somaliland.”
The UN official had last visited Hargeisa ten years ago, while serving in another capacity with the world body.
The senior government officials Ms. Gbeho met with included the Minister of Environment and Rural Development, Shukri Ismail Mohamoud, and the Minister for Employment, Social Affairs and Family, Mustafe Mohamoud Ali.
“We discussed climate change and the impact climate change has on conflict; this affects communities in very real terms, which may seem far removed from the high level discussions at COP26 next week, but competing pressure for water and grazing brings the reality of climate change into the lives of people simply trying to make their living. We also discussed inclusion, the role of women, the role of youth, the role of the disabled in the political process,” Ms. Gbeho said.
The discussions with Minister Mohamoud and the political parties included Somaliland’s recent parliamentary elections and the role that women played in them. While no women won a seat, the UN Deputy Special Representative heard how there was progress in giving women candidates more preparation for election campaigns.
Ms. Gbeho and Minister Ali covered policies and other measures to ensure that women, children, youth and people with disabilities are better protected in different spheres of life, as well as efforts to reform current labour laws to include capacity-building for women in order to improve their employability.
In her meetings with representatives of women organisations, the UN official was told of the need for the world body’s support for capacity-building, as well as its support for building on the recent progress made in the parliamentary elections.
“They advocated with us as the United Nations to support efforts at ensuring a quota for women when it comes to parliament and holding political office now, rather than at the time of the next round of elections. We need to start the work now – how do we educate women? How do we support women? How do we ensure that they have the necessary skills to compete effectively when it comes to the elections?” Ms. Gbeho said.
