The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Mr. James Swan, met with Puntland President Mr. Saed Abdilahi Deni on Wednesday in a high-level meeting. Mr. Swan paid a courtesy call to the Puntland President, who is currently staying at a hotel in the Airport compound in Mogadishu. According to a statement issued by the Puntland Presidential Palace, the two sides discussed the current situation facing the country. The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission to Somalia (UNTMIS) has not released a statement following the meeting between the two sides. However, on Monday, UNTMIS urged the Somali Federal Government and the Somali Future Council to hold further talks and genuinely reach a decision regarding the type of elections to be held in Somalia. The talks between the two sides in Mogadishu ended without a resolution on Sunday. The international community, including the US and UK, have called on the two sides to compromise and reach an inclusive agreement in order to hold unified elections in the country. The international community is actively engaged with the two sides to resume talks and reach a decision on the type of elections. While both sides have expressed their readiness to resume dialogue, it does not appear that they are willing to find a lasting solution and reach a common consensus on the standoff.
