Cadaado, 16 February 2016 – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia, Michael Keating, led a delegation of ambassadors and senior representatives of the international community – the African Union, the European Union, Sweden, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya – on a visit to Cadaado today for meetings with Galmudug Interim Administration President Abdikarim Hussein Guled and local leaders.
Members of the delegation heard views on the Federal Government’s decision on an electoral model for 2016, plans for its implementation, and proposals for a Road Map to 2020 which will eventually lead to ‘one person, one vote’ elections. In addition to President Guled, the delegation met with members of his cabinet, the Deputy Speaker and members of the Galmudug Regional Assembly, leaders from civil society and traditional elders.
Concerns were expressed about the method for selecting that legislature’s Upper House but all affirmed their acceptance of the Federal Government’s decision on the electoral model. They expressed concern that as a new Administration, Galmudug should receive particular attention for its security and development needs.
“We had a healthy exchange of views in Cadaado,” said SRSG Keating at the end of the visit. “Leaders from the regional parliament, elders and civil society were clear about their expectations, both of the Federal Government and of the international community”.
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