A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on political parties in Somalia to strive to break the deadlock over delayed elections. 

Somalia's situation is at a critical juncture, and the political stalemate over postponed elections still continues, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. 

"To break the current political stalemate serves the common interests of parties and people in Somalia."  

"We encourage parties in Somalia to put the interests of the country first, strengthen unity and cooperation, make necessary compromises, rebuild political trust, swiftly agree on electoral arrangements, restore Somalia's political stability so as to provide favorable conditions for the security transition and national reconstruction." 

Somalia has long been in a deep humanitarian crisis. Lagging development, COVID-19, droughts and a locust plague have further compounded the plight of Somalis. The international community should provide more assistance in areas such as the fight against COVID-19, post-pandemic reconstruction, debt relief, food security, and poverty reduction, he said. 

China has long supported Somalia's peace and reconstruction process within its capacity. It has helped the African nation build infrastructure and enhance capacity building and has recently donated COVID-19 vaccines to the country. China will work with the international community to make greater contributions to lasting peace and sustainable development in Somalia, Zhang said.  

In April, Somalia's lower house of parliament voted to extend President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed's four-year term which had expired on February 8 by another two years. The Senate rejected the move, provoking a political crisis. Violence erupted in the capital city of Mogadishu as government forces clashed with pro-opposition groups who briefly took control of parts of the city. 

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)