Latest UNPOS Press release on reconciliation process
....................................................................................................

Nairobi, 4 April 2008: The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah has called on all Somalis, particularly business people, politicians and the Diaspora to remain fully committed to the ongoing peace process.

He said he had invited the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) to Nairobi to discuss the future of the country. He is happy with the ongoing discussions so far and is hopeful that they will lead to a dialogue with the TFG and an end to the long suffering of the people. He pointed out that the UN has a fruitful relationship with the TFG and is pleased with their work towards reconciliation. Press release[ English ] [ Somali]

UN Special Representative says peace momentum in Somalia is irreversible
....................................................................................................

Nairobi, 29 March 2008: The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia , Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has said that the momentum for peace is irreversible. He was speaking as a high level delegation from the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia arrived in Nairobi at his invitation.
“I believe that Somalis at home and abroad are yearning for peace and will not accept the continued fighting that has made their country a pariah,” he said. “I heard this both from Somalis inside their country and from the diaspora when I recently visited the US . They would like to follow the “ Right Way ” as described in the Holy Koran. Press release

UN Special Representative says new developments signal success for Somalia
....................................................................................................

Nairobi, 27 March 2008 - The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has said the decision by members of Somalia’s opposition to respond to his invitation is a welcome, positive first step. Earlier this month Somalia’s President, Speaker and Prime Minister announced the TFG’s readiness to talk to the opposition and said they would nominate a team to lead the discussions. Press release

UNPOS attends civil society meeting in Entebbe
....................................................................................................

UNPOS representatives attended a meeting called “Bringing together Somali civil society in the quest for peace” organized by the Somalia based Center for Research and Dialogue along with Saferworld and Interpeace in Entebbe Uganda. The meeting, from 11 – 13 March 2008 brought together some 80 individuals representing civil society groups both inside Somalia and from the diaspora, academics, journalists, clan elders, human rights activists, business people and supporters of both the TFG and opposition. The meeting looked at a range of issues including women’s participation, local governance and the role of the business community. It was addressed by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda who said the problem of Somalia was underdevelopment and that Civil Society could help the country through economic development. The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah said in a speech read on his behalf, that a key part of change in Somalia would come from Civil Society. Speech

UN Economic Meeting in Somalia
....................................................................................................

Nairobi, 28-29 March 2008: The United Nations and World Bank co-organized a high level meeting on ‘Somalia’s Finance and Economic Issues’ on 28-29 March in Nairobi Kenya. Key participants included the Somali Prime Minister, Nur Hassan Hussein, former Nigerian President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Burundian President, Major Pierre Buyoya, Executive Secretary of IGAD Dr Attalla Bashir; Kenya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moses Wetangula and former US Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Princeton Lyman. The meeting closed with a call for a stronger national and a greater international involvement to strengthen the economy and help bring about peace. Speeches[Olesugun Obasanjo,Princeton Lyman, Georges Marc Andre, Mohamed Ali Hmaud, Moses Wetangula, Noor Wido Beyle and Abdulkadir M. Nur], Press Realease1 and Press Realease 2, Key document and Photos.

Briefing of the SRSG A. Ould-abdallah to the United Nations Security Council
....................................................................................................

New York, 20 March 2008: Mr President, Last week Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government announced its reconciliation strategy which involves local peacemaking within the country and talks with the external opposition. This was widely welcomed. The Government’s plan called for me to lead this process and I am fully committed to helping the various parties come together for preliminary talks. I hope to determine soon the timing and location of these discussions.Speech

<<Previous ... Next >>