Mr James Swan, who apart being the SRSG is the Head of Mission of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), further revealed that delegates to the conference are very close to an agreement but fell short of announcing a breakthrough.

"It will be up for the Principals o announce this and we hope it will be delivered in the coming hours,” Swan said in a report to the UN Security on the situation in Somalia.

The National Consultative Forum, Now in its six day has been going in Mugadishu since last Saturday.

It brings together the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States (FMS), and it’s aimed at discussing and finding out the way out of the electoral impasse that has threatened the stability of the country.

The forum was agreed upon after attempts by President Mohamed Farmajo to extend his term of office was resisted by FMS who refused to recognize the federal government under his leadership.

Prime Minister Muhammed Hussein Roble convened a new FGS-FMS summit on 22 May and with the optimism of the SRSG, a deal could be in the offing anytime.

"I commend all the Somali leaders who sought compromise and consensus, and who have worked to de-escalate the situation in the interest of the nation and the Somali people. This spirit of compromise remains an urgent necessity going forward,” Swan said.

Discussions are now centred on resolving the outstanding issues related to the implementation of the 17 September Agreement and the Baidoa Technical Committee proposals.

"Somali leaders should find solutions in good faith. They should demonstrate the leadership the country requires of them at this historic moment,”he added, challenging the signatories of the 17 September Agreement to commit to a clear way forward with the holding of elections.

"Without this, progress on key national priorities will continue to be hampered, or worse, reversed, in critical areas, including in the security, economic and development sectors.”

Swan told the UNSC that in proceeding to elections, it is crucial that the women’s minimum 30 per cent representation in both Houses of the Federal Parliament be implemented.

"The inclusion of women, but also of youth and minority groups, in political decision-making going forward is necessary to ensure the development of the country and sustainable peace in Somalia.”

While underscoring the opportunity before Somalia’s leaders, he advised that it is imperative that the conference yields an implementable agreement to hold elections in the shortest time possible.

"Without such an agreement, along with the goodwill and sincerity to implement it, the gains which have been made in Somalia in recent years may be reversed, risking further instability and insecurity,” he said.

He admitted that the security situation continues to be of grave concern in Somalia.  Al-Shabaab remains a serious threat manifesting the ability to plan and execute complex attacks on a range of targets across the country.

"Al-Shabaab has demonstrated both initiative and resilience in recent months. The operations of the Somali Security Forces and AMISOM therefore remain crucial in maintaining the pressure on this group,” he said.

He announced that some progress has been made in the implementation of the revised Somalia Transition Plan.

Key developments include the handover of Forward Operating Bases in Awdheegle and Barire to the Somali National Army at the end of last year.

 In early April, these FOBs came under attack by Al-Shabaab, but Swan hailed the Somali forces who displayed great courage and held their ground. 

"The pace of implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan has been impacted by the ongoing political impasse. Major commitments are behind schedule, and significant efforts will be needed to accelerate progress,” he said.

The humanitarian situation is still dire, with 5.9 million Somalis are in need of humanitarian assistance this year. Of these, over three million are in acute need of life-saving assistance.  While 80 per cent of the country is impacted by drought conditions, heavy rains are at the same time causing seasonal flash flooding in some riverine areas.  Erratic climatic shocks have led to greater displacement and increased food insecurity. 

Swan said only 19 percent of the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2021 has so far been funded. "This will not be enough to respond to the lifesaving needs of Somalis across the country. I appeal to member states to make further contributions,” he said.

Somalia received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility in March. The United Nations has worked closely with Government counterparts to ensure the effective distribution and administering of the vaccines to frontline workers. So far, Somalia has been able to administer 42 per cent of 300,000 doses of the vaccines it had received and Swan pleaded with the international community to support Somalia’s needs for achieving optimal vaccination coverage.