James Swan, Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Somalia (UNSOM), told the Security Council that 2.6 million internally displaced persons are particularly at risk from the novel coronavirus.
Looking beyond the immediate health crisis, Mr. Swan - speaking from Mogadishu via video-teleconference - said the coming weeks will be decisive in determining how Somalia will proceed with its first direct elections since March 1969.
The pathway to a vote for all
"These Somali institutions will determine the pathway to elections," said Mr. Swan, urging Somalia's partners to be ready to mobilize the technical support and financial resources needed to make the landmark polls a success.
Turning to the security situation, he said that Somalia has made progress in recovering areas occupied by al-Shabaab, including the strategic town of Janaale, liberated by the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on 16 March.
Mr. Swan's briefing to the Council followed the release of the Secretary-General's latest report on the situation in Somalia.
