New UN Envoy meets Somalia President & Prime Minister

The newly appointed United Nations special envoy to Somalia Michael Keating arrived in Somali capital Mogadishu on Monday to assume his post, Horseed Media reports.
On his first visit to the country since his appointment by the UN General-Secretary in November last year, Mr. Keating met Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid.
According to a press statement from the office of the President, both sides discussed on issues related to the current political, security situation and development in the country.
The new UN envoy said that he was honoured and excited to his new role and pledged that the mission will continue to support Somalia as it continues to recover from the two decades of civil war.
He comes at a time whereby the country gets ready for elections in seven months’ time as expected though political leaders failed to reach an agreement on the model of electoral process following a four-day conference in the port town of Kismayo.
Mr. Keating, who replaces his fellow countrymate Nicholas Kay, brings to this position extensive experience in supporting political and peacebuilding transitions, as well as leading complex humanitarian and recovery programmes in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa.
Horseed Media