The Somali people have demonstrated “heroism and resilience” in the face of ongoing insecurity caused by “senseless terrorist attacks”; that’s according to the UN’s most senior representative in the Horn of Africa country.

James Swan, who is the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia was speaking at UN Headquarters in New York, ahead of briefing the Security Council on Wednesday.

Somalia continues to be affected by insecurity caused by terrorist organizations like al-Shabab.  It also struggles regularly with drought and is chronically under-developed.

Mr. Swan arrived in Somalia just two months ago, so Daniel Dickinson began by asking him for his first impressions.