President Museveni, UN special representative discuss Somalia

President Museveni meets the UN special representative, Augustine P. Mahiga, on Somalia

President Yoweri Museveni has met and held discussions over the situation in Somalia with the UN special representative on Somalia Ambassador Augustine Mahinga ahead of the plenary meeting of the second Conference on Somalia currently taking place at the Istanbul Convention Centre in Turkey.

Ambassador Mahiga who paid a courtesy call on President Museveni at his residence at the Conrad Hotel in Istanbul briefed the President about various key issues in Somalia including the authenticity of the traditional leaders in the absence of direct and indirect elections for representatives to the constituent assembly in Somalia, the formation of the arbitration committee of elders to authenticate contested issues and the new constitution in Somalia among other things.

Ambassador Mahiga said that the Turkey conference will tackle various issues including political, security, humanitarian and reconstruction.

“The situation so far is under control. The three important issues to ensure the end of the transition period build the Somali army and aid the implementation of the roadmap,” he said.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of a peaceful and successful end of the transition period. He said while Uganda cannot be involved in the internal politics of Somalia, his concern was the risk of fake traditional leaders posing as genuine ones especially if they are contested by the population.

END