The British Ambassador to Somalia has commended the progress made by the Interim Jubba Administration (IJA) ahead of the inauguration of its regional assembly.
Ambassador Neil Wigan led a delegation to Kismayo yesterday and held meetings with the IJA administration led by IJA president Ahmed Mohamed Islam-Madobe, the regional cabinet ministers as well as members of the new Parliament.
The Ambassador was briefed on the process undertaken for the formation of the Parliament, ensuring that all clans and their views were represented.
“We welcome the formation of the Jubba Assembly and we hope that through the arbitration committee, through reconciliation processes those who are not yet fully supportive of the process, that they can be encouraged to join up and support it. We believe that the progress made here will help the people of Jubbaland and that can be model of the rest of Somalia as the other member states start form their own assemblies. So, we are here to help support that process,’’ he said.
He also met with the Acting Chairperson of the new Parliament Abdi Yusuf and other members of the legislative body and discussed different issues including election of the Parliament’s leadership as well as the pending work on the Constitution.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the IJA President said the discussions had been productive and focused on the Administrations new Parliament.
“We talked about different issues with the delegation and they congratulated us upon formation of the Jubbaland Parliament. We discussed other issues including election of the Parliament Chairperson, his deputies as well as completion of the Constitution,” said Ahmed Madobe, Jubbaland President.
Meanwhile, the British Embassy Stabilization Advisor for Somalia Philippa Brown together with the AMISOM CIMIC Deputy Chief Lt. Colonel Hakizimana Celestin also held meetings in Kismayo to discuss the CIMIC activities in the sector as well as potential Quick Impact Projects.
They met with Sector Kismayo CIMIC officer Captain Bill Ohito and discussed what projects the military can engage in to help mitigate immediate needs of communities.
‘’We have been here today to discuss some ideas, some new projects in Kismayo and in the whole sector as well. So it is very positive place to be always, there are a lot of good ideas and the sector is very engaged and as always very positive experience,” said Philippa Brown, British Embassy Stabilization Advisor.
She has also similar meetings with the CIMIC team in Baidoa and identified potential Quick Impact Projects.n
Source: RBC
