And Shabaab's shift has enabled it to remain a potent military force, Ambassador Keating acknowledged. The severe drought gripping large parts of the country “is highlighting the need to engage with Al-Shabaab” since the group controls some of the areas most in need of humanitarian aid, the envoy added. But the UN and Amisom have not yet deduced how such an engagement might be carried out, Ambassador Keating said. “There have been various attempts in the past to do that,” but none have been successful, Ambassador Keating said. Ambassador Keating also offered a generally positive appraisal of Somalia's political status and electoral process.

Source: Daily Nation January 25, 2017 06:36 UTC