Ministry: Ethiopia strengthens support to Somalia

Addis Ababa August 11 (WIC) -The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ethiopia will further strengthen support with a view to enabling Somalia hold free and democratic elections.

While holding talks with Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia, Augustine Philip Mahiga here on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said Ethiopia will further enhance assistance to maintain sustainable peace and stability in Somalia.

Hailemariam said the country will provide the necessary support towards success of the elections, which will significantly contribute to maintain stability in the Horn of Africa.
Mahiga on his part said preparations are finalized to hold the elections in Somalia.

He said successful activities are carried out to draft modern provisional constitution harmonized with the Sharia law.

The Representative said Ethiopia significantly contributed in the efforts to defeat Al shabaab and urged the country to further strengthen support towards success of the elections to be held in Somalia.
The new Somali parliament will have 275 seats.