Secretary General deplores outbreak of fighting in Somalia
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New York, 22 December -  The Secretary-General today deplored the recent outbreak of fighting between the forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) near Baidoa.  He said he was deeply concerned that the escalation of the conflict in Somalia would have disastrous consequences for civilians, who are already suffering from the effects of years of instability and deprivation, compounded by severe flooding that has recently affected parts of the country.  The Secretary General called on the TFG and the UIC to cease hostilities immediately and to resume the peace talks initiated in Khartoum without delay and without preconditions.  He also called on both two parties to respect the commitments previously agreed upon at Khartoum.

The Secretary-General also expressed his grave concern about continued reports of the involvement of foreign forces in the current conflict. He implored all involved to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.  He further urged all the countries of the region to do whatever they can to ensure that the parties return to the peace talks and pursue a negotiated settlement of the crisis.

UN Special Representative Appeals for Calm
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Nairobi, 13 December – The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, today appealed for calm in Somalia following a meeting of the international community at UNPOS to discuss Somalia’s current situation and the need to persuade the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) to choose dialogue over conflict.

Speaking later on behalf of the international community, Ambassador Fall said it was essential for the parties to settle their differences peacefully. “After 16 years of conflict it is time for both sides to lower the temperature of their rhetoric and put the people first,” he said. “The military buildup and rising tensions inside Somalia threaten to make an alarming situation very much worse.”

Ambassador Fall said the TFG and the UIC made a good beginning when they met in Khartoum earlier this year. “A continuation of the Khartoum dialogue would give them a further opportunity to flesh out their expectations and move towards a peaceful solution”, he said. “Somalia has seen the wages of war. It’s high time the people had an opportunity to enjoy the wages of peace.” More...


International Community Urged to Meet Flood Relief Needs
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Nairobi, 21 November - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, today asked the international community to respond generously to the needs of Somali communities affected by rising flood waters.

“During my mission to Baidoa yesterday, the President and Prime Minister expressed concern that too little relief was reaching people in dire need,” he said. “It was also clear to me flying over northern Kenya and southern Somalia yesterday that the extent of flooding is beyond anything seen in Somalia in many years. In the past six weeks, most parts of the country have already received more than 300 percent of their normal rainfall. WFP, UNICEF, WHO and non governmental organizations are delivering food relief, shelter materials and other emergency support, but more will be needed. In southern Somalia, about 1.1 million are already facing a humanitarian emergency and the official rainy season has several weeks to run.” More...


International Mission to Visit Baidoa
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Nairobi, 17 November: A mission led by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, François Lonseny Fall, will travel to Baidoa on Monday to discuss with President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, the current situation in Somalia and the way to preserve peace, security and unity.

Ambassador Fall will be accompanied by representatives of the Somalia Advisory Contact Group that was established earlier this year to support the peace process.

Earlier this week, United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan repeated his concern at developments inside Somalia. He appealed to all Somalis to resolve their differences through dialogue and honour the Khartoum I and Khartoum II agreements. “The talks which are now suspended should resume very quickly”, he said. “I also urge the two groups, the Transitional Government and the Islamic Courts, to avoid further confrontation and military action."

UN Secretary General appeals for continuation of Khartoum talks
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Nairobi, 15 November - United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, today appealed to Somalis to put aside their differences and continue the Khartoum peace process. Responding to a question at a Press conference for the UN Climate Change Conference, the Secretary General said: "We have a very serious situation in Somalia. First of all, I would appeal to the Somalis to try and put their differences together and continue the talks which began in Khartoum and honour the Khartoum I and Khartoum II agreements. The talks which are now suspended should resume very quickly. I also urge the two groups, the Transitional Government and the Islamic Courts, to avoid further confrontation and military action."

The Secretary General also urged neighbouring countries to avoid interfering in Somali affairs. "It is an already difficult and volatile situation," he said. "We do not need to see it further complicated by neighbouring countries rushing in with troops or guns to support one side or the other. It will only compound the problem and so I would urge them to stay out and urge the Somalis to continue their dialogue."

Special Representative briefs Security Council
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New York, 7 November - The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, briefed the UN Security Council today on a range of issues including the outcome and implications of the Khartoum III round of talks that ended last week (1 November).

Ambassador Fall noted, among other things that Somalia is facing its worst crisis since the start of the civil war in 1991 and the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) would need the sustained support of the international community.

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