UN chief calls on Somalia to continue moving forward in building federal, democratic state

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that Somalia has made steady progress in building a federal, democratic state but the momentum must be sustained.

Ban made the remarks while speaking at the high-level meeting on Somalia held at the UN headquarters in New York.

"We have seen the formation of a new interim regional administration, the launch of the constitutional review process, and the creation of a National Independent Electoral Commission. Most recently, I welcome the launch on Sept. 19 of a National Consultative Forum to agree on the 2016 electoral process," said Ban, claiming these are important steps, but the momentum must be sustained.

Somalia cannot afford to get side-tracked by partisan politics or self-interest.

"I urge all parties to work together on the goals they have set, including to complete state formation, advance the constitutional review and ensure an inclusive electoral process in 2016," he said.

"The threat of Al-Shabaab continues to destabilize the country," he said. But "the threat of Al-Shabaab cannot be defeated by military means alone. I call on all Somalis, as well as Somalia's friends, neighbors and partners, to reflect on the need for a more comprehensive approach to counter violent extremism in the country."

"We need to understand the factors that drive people to join Al-Shabaab. We must help Somali authorities forge a viable alternative: notably by building a State that offers political inclusion, security, justice and economic opportunity to all -- and that respects the human rights of all and empowers the country's women," he said.

In concluding his remarks, Ban urged partners to devote greater attention to Somalia's economic recovery.

In Somalia, some 855,000 Somalis face acute food insecurity. Over a million are internally displaced. The arrival of tens of thousands of Somalis fleeing Yemen has brought new pressures, according to Ban. Endit