Appeal for Peace in Mogadishu
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Nairobi – 24 March: The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, today appealed to the leaders of warring parties in Mogadishu to end their hostilities and allow families caught in the crossfire to return safely to their homes.

“The renewal and escalation of fighting this week, with the tragic and avoidable suffering inflicted on civilians in Mogadishu, especially women and children, is unacceptable,” Ambassador Fall said. “I urge all sides to consider the loss of life, injuries and other suffering caused to hundreds of families this week and to put aside their weapons.” 

Ambassador Fall appealed to those leading the forces in Mogadishu to join the ongoing parliamentary process in Baidoa. He also called on national leaders currently in parliamentary session in Baidoa, to use whatever influence they have to end the fighting. Press Release...

Nairobi, 21 March - UN Special Representative Urges Support for Revised Drought Target
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Nairobi, 21 March: UN Special Representative, Francois Lonseny Fall, today appealed to donors to meet a new financial target to cover Somalia's deteriorating humanitarian prospects. (Link to full statement) He was speaking at the launch of a revised Consolidated Appeal for $326.7 million for the current drought emergency.

Ambassador Fall said a grave humanitarian crisis - induced by the failed Deyr rains in 2005 was affecting an estimated two million people.  “In the coming months – and if the Gu rains, this year, are not sufficient - we could be witnessing a catastrophe” he said.

Ambassador Fall also urged national and local Somali leaders to ensure complete and unrestricted humanitarian access to needy populations and to provide guarantees for the safety and security of the humanitarian aid workers trying to reach them.

UN Special Representative addresses IGAD Council of Ministers
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Nairobi, 17 March: UN Special Representative, Francois Lonseny Fall, today urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to continue to stand firmly behind the Somali peace process.

Ambassador Fall reminded delegates attending the opening of the IGAD summit that the finalization of a National Security and Stabilization Plan and its ratification by the Transitional Federal Institutions of Somalia, was not only critical for the waiver of the arms embargo for an IGASOM force, but also to prepare the ground for the necessary security sector reforms, including the creation of a Somali national army and police force.

“My office has already initiated discussions with national and international stakeholders for the establishment of terms of reference for a national security and stabilization plan and I look forward to working with you, the African Union and the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions, to help develop and finalize this plan, he said”. Full Statement...

Council discusses Somali security, humanitarian access and arms embargo
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New York, 15 March - The UN Security Council today repeated its call for the rapid finalization of an agreed national security and stabilization plan for Somalia. The Council said the plan should include a comprehensive and verifiable ceasefire agreement, as well as plans for the
restoration of public safety and security institutions and the implementation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.

The Council also expressed serious concern over continued fighting and armed violence in the country; the drought emergency affecting some 1.7 million people; and the need for Somali leaders to ensure unhindered humanitarian accessand guarantees for the security of humanitarian aid workers.

The Council also welcomed an African Union (AU) Summit decision of 25 January which included the possible deployment of an IGAD Peace Support Mission to Somalia (IGASOM), to be followed by an AU Peace Support Mission. Full Statement...

SRSG addresses first session of Transitional Federal Parliament
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Baidoa, 26 February – UN Special Representative, Francois Lonseny Fall, told leaders attending the first ever session of parliament inside Somalia that the hopes of the nation were riding on their shoulders.

“It hardly needs repeating here today, but the future of your country is in your hands,” he said.  “You have arrived at a crossroad and you have a choice that should be easy to make. It should be the easiest choice that you will ever have to make. It is a choice - either to allow anarchy and chaos to prevail in your country – or to lead the Somali people towards reconciliation and reconstruction, peace and prosperity. The Somali people and the international community expect you to make the right choice.”

Ambassador Fall assured the parliament that the United Nations and the international community would support each step of the process towards peace and reconciliation. Full Statement...

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