Somalia: Joint Statement on COVID-19

International partners of Somalia share their solidarity with the people and government of Somalia at every stage in the context of the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). We thank the authorities in Somalia for their efforts to combat the spread of the virus, including awareness-raising, quarantine and social differences. 

They remember that the propagation of the virus is a common and mutual problem. They stress that this is a time to face this unparalleled challenge. The solution will involve cooperation, conflict and aggression. The partners affirm the UN Secretary-General’s request for a global truce and endorse that request. Both parties and societies are strongly urged to end the dispute. They call on al-Shabaab and other organizations to avoid acts of violence and extremism and to help reach all vulnerable communities. 

The partners encourage FGS and all FMS members to resume constructive collaboration without further delay to promote national goals and work together to mitigate the virus threat. They acknowledged that genuine differences in politics warrant dialogue and consensus-building. All the leaders, in the regional, federal and parliamentary governments, in Somalia will continue their important work by using web-based meetings. 

The virus needs cooperation between all the neighbouring countries. The partners encourage a reduction in infection, strengthen health systems and improve community resilience as well as open key trade routes and facilitate critical private financial movements in Somalia and countries in the region. The initiative was taken by the Chair of the Commission of the African Union on 22nd February 2020 as COVID-19 emergency, ministerial meeting and by the declaration of its Summit on 30th March 2020. 

COVID-19 has wide-ranging social and economic effects and further compounds its debilitating effects of conflict, desert locusts, droughts, and continuous flooding that affect the most vulnerable populations. The partners call on the government and private landowners in Somalia to suspend the expulsion of displaced persons during the entire COVID-19 response. 

The partners thank the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia for allowing international aid and operation to begin and reaffirm Somalia’s commitment to supporting the COVID-19 effect. African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United States, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Sweden, Turkey, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom.

Data Source: African Union Mission in Somalia