The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, is leading diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing political deadlock between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the leaders of the country’s federal member states.
Today, Swan held a meeting with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and successfully persuaded him to attend the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting, scheduled to begin in Mogadishu on Monday.
This move follows similar meetings Swan held last week with the leaders of South West and Galmudug regional states. He is also expected to meet Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe), who returned to Kismayo earlier today.
While it was expected that the federal leadership would take the lead in organizing and mediating these talks, Swan has seemingly taken on the responsibility, working to bridge the gap between leaders who have long been at odds.
Swan’s initiative appears to be a follow-up to a recent conference held in Uganda, where one of the key outcomes was a call for a structured mechanism to monitor Somalia’s political situation.
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