UN Special Representative to Visit Moscow and Stockholm - for Consultations on Somalia Peace Process

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Nairobi - 12 October 2005: The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall, will travel to Moscow and Stockholm this week as part of his continuing efforts towards a peaceful solution to differences within the Somali Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).

Ambassador Fall's visit to Moscow (13 October) is at the invitation of the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov for an exchange of views on how best to facilitate the restoration of peace and security in Somalia.

While in Stockholm (14-15 October) he will hold consultations on the latest developments in Somalia with Ms. Annika Soder, the Swedish State Secretary for International Cooperation and Development and other representatives of the Swedish government.

“The Security Council has expressed deep concern about the persistent state of insecurity in Somalia and the absence of political dialogue,” Ambassador Fall said. “During informal consultations this month (4 October) Council members stressed the need to reactivate political dialogue between the leaders of the transitional federal institutions and drew particular attention to the need for an agreement among the TFI leaders on a National Security and Stabilization Plan, and its implementation. The Council also urged the international community and neighbouring countries to continue to support an inclusive political dialogue among the TFI leaders. ”

Ambassador Fall's visit follows consultations on the Somalia situation last month with leaders in Egypt and Ethiopia, London, Stockholm and Brussels, the EC/EU headquarters.

Ambassador Fall also remains in close contact with leaders of the TFIs in the hope that he can help them resolve their differences. Those differences include the location of the TFIs. The President, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi, have relocated to Jowhar, maintaining that Mogadishu is insecure. The Speaker of the Parliament, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, some cabinet members and a number of Parliamentarians, insist that Mogadishu is safe and that the Government belongs there. Ambassador Fall has urged all Cabinet Ministers to enter into a dialogue that will move them closer to reconciliation.

For more information please contact: UN Political Office for Somalia(Nairobi, Kenya) Tel. +254 20 762 21 31 Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org