UN Special Representative in Stockholm for Contact Group Meeting
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Stockholm, 29 August - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, asked members of the International Contact Group today to consider what additional and better coordinated support the international community might offer to the country’s Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).

In the course of the day's discussions, Ambassador Fall noted that the situation in Somalia was volatile and asked that the international community collectively urge the TFIs and the Islamic Courts to demonstrate the political will to enter into a constructive and meaningful dialogue without preconditions. More...

UN Special Representative Briefs Security Council
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New York, 16 August - The Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, today briefed the UN Security Council on recent developments inside the country and on international support for peace and reconciliation.

Ambassador Fall urged all member states to respect and abide by the UN arms embargo. He also appealed to all countries, especially in the region, to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia. He urged all parties not to take any provocative measures that might lead to a deterioration in the situation and encouraged all sides to resume the dialogue at Khartoum.

Speaking with media after the briefing, Ambassador Fall noted that the second round of the Khartoum dialogue proposed for this month between the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts, had been postponed. "My office has spoken with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Islamic Courts this morning regarding the latest delay," he said. "Sheikh Sharif advised my Deputy this morning that although the Courts remained in favour of dialogue with the TFIs, this would not be possible while Ethiopian troops remained in the country."

United Nations Appoints Deputy Special Representative for Somalia
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Nairobi, 3 August - The United Nations today announced the appointment of Mr. Per Lindgarde as Deputy Special Representative for Somalia. Mr Lindgarde is a Swedish national who has had a long career with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

SRSG Addresses IGAD Special Session in Nairobi
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Nairobi, 1 August - The Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, told the IGAD Council of Ministers today that the continuation of dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government and the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts was an essential first step towards a solution to the present situation in Somalia.

“The Security Council has repeatedly emphasized the need to establish a comprehensive and verifiable ceasefire,” Ambassador Fall said. “It is necessary to have the agreement of all parties not to engage in hostilities in any form and for their forces to remain in place and not make any move that could be seen by others to be provocative.”

Speaking at a special meeting called by Kenya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs (Raphael Tuju) to “address the unfolding crisis in Somalia”, Ambassador Fall told Ministers and delegates that recent statements of the UN Security Council contained useful guidelines regarding the African Union’s request for a partial lifting of the UN arms embargo: “to pave way for a possible deployment of a Peace Support Mission (PSM) and to help facilitate the re-establishment of the national security forces of Somalia.” Press release...

SRSG Condemns Assassination of Government Minister
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Nairobi, 28 July - The Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, has condemned the assassination of Abdallah Deerow Isaaq, Somalia's Minister for Constitutional and Federal Affairs. Mr. Isaaq was shot outside a mosque in Baidoa earlier today by unidentified gunmen. "I am appalled by this act of violence against a Minister in Somalia's Transitional Federal Institutions," Ambassador Fall said. "I offer my condolences to Mr. Deerow's family and appeal for calm in what is already a turbulent moment in Somalia's recent history."

"I am appalled by this act of violence against a Minister in Somalia's Transitional Federal Institutions," Ambassador Fall said. "I offer my condolences to Mr. Deerow's family and appeal for calm in what is already a turbulent moment in Somalia's recent history."

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