SOMALIA NEEDS GREATER INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO REBUILD, UN ENVOY SAYS

Somalia needs stronger support from the international community if its people are to rebuild their war-shattered society, the top United Nations envoy to the Horn of Africa nation said today as he welcomed a meeting between the Somali President and the United States Secretary of State.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN Special Representative for Somalia, said the meeting between Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hillary Clinton in Nairobi was an important show of support for peace and stability in Somalia.

"It is in line with, and strengthens the positions of, the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the European Union (EU) on Somalia," he said, according to a press release issued by the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

"The Government needs strong backing to continue its dialogue with various parties and to increase security for the people," Mr. Ould-Abdallah added.

"The time has come for countries, groups, individuals and especially spoilers to show more understanding and respect for Somalia and help its people to rebuild their society and their country. Respecting Somalia does not mean recycling proposals to hold 'inclusive national conferences' again and again."

The Special Representatives stressed that Somalis themselves are sick and tired of the violence in their country, which has not had a fully functioning national government since 1991, and are ready for dialogue between warring parties.

Despite the signing of peace agreements, the formation of a new Government and election of a new president, Somalia has endured a resurgence of violence in recent months. Fighting between Government forces and the Al-Shabaab and Hisb-ul-Islam militant groups in Mogadishu since early May have forced over 200,000 people from their homes, many of them for the second time over the course of the past year.
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INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER BEFORE, SAYS UN ENVOY

The top United Nations envoy for Somalia today called on the Security Council to take "concrete" steps to help bring stability to the strife-torn nation, stressing that the support of the international community is more important now than ever.

"I believe that today we are at a turning point," Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, said as he briefed the Security Council.

"It is clear that the population and its traditional leaders reject violence and those behind it. Therefore, the support of the international community is even more crucial at this time."

Despite the signing of peace agreements, the formation of a new government and election of a new president, Somalia has seen a resurgence of violence in recent months.

Fighting between Government forces and the Al-Shabaab and Hisb-ul-Islam militant groups in Mogadishu since early May have forced over 200,000 people from their homes, many of them for the second time over the course of the past year.

"The Somali people have endured too much – they have seen their loved ones killed and maimed, been forced to flee their homes again and again and suffered endless abuses of their human rights," said Mr. Ould-Abdallah.

He called on the 15-member Council to take action to help the Horn of Africa nation, noting that "past failures should not discourage us from taking future action to help stability."

While the Government has made important strides, it still needs immediate political and financial support to improve the situation, he said, adding that the authorities in Puntland and Somaliland also need resources to ensure that stability endures.

The Special Representative also echoed the call made by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his recent report to boost the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). "The African Union troops have shown remarkable courage and dedication in solidarity with the Somali people. They deserve the backing of all Council members," said Mr. Ould-Abdallah.

Mr. Ban had also urged the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to press ahead with encouraging opposition groups to work towards peace in Somalia. His envoy noted that due to their proximity, knowledge and interest in Somalia, IGAD member States should be recognized as having a leading role on Somali issues.

He added that the time has come for the UN to show it is serious about moving to Somalia. "Our temporary presence in Nairobi has lasted far too long. We can only work effectively for peace with the Somalis and address pressing humanitarian needs if we are close to the victims of famine, violence and different abuses.

"My office and other leading UN agencies, including humanitarian ones, along with concerned diplomats and NGOs [non-governmental organizations], should move to Mogadishu," Mr. Ould-Abdallah stated, adding that the establishment of a "Green Zone," similar to those elsewhere, will facilitate this process.
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SOMALIA: TOP UN OFFICIAL DEPLORES DEADLY ATTEMPT TO DESTABILIZE GOVERNMENT

SOMALIA: TOP UN OFFICIAL DEPLORES DEADLY ATTEMPT TO DESTABILIZE GOVERNMENT
New York, May 12 2009 10:00AM
The top United Nations envoy to Somalia today condemned the latest surge in armed violence targeting the fledgling Government of the beleaguered Horn of Africa nation.

According to media reports, rebel attacks in Mogadishu have killed possibly hundreds of people in recent days, with at least a dozen deaths overnight, and sent thousands more fleeing the capital city looking for safety.The latest attacks come after unidentified gunmen shot dead a lawmaker and attempted to kill a member of Cabinet in April and a roadside bomb injured the Interior Minister and killed one of his assistants in Mogadishu at the end of March.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, called for an immediate ceasefire. "There is now a legitimate, internationally recognized government in Mogadishu which should be supported.

"Instead, irresponsible elements backed by foreigners, have attacked Mogadishu in an attempt to seize power by force."

Noting that no clan has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the "attempt to destabilize the country", Mr. Ould-Abdallah stressed that the people of Somalia "have clearly shown they are sick and tired of the conflict yet once again they are subjected to violence which has killed and displaced innocent men, women and children."

The Special Representative welcomed any group that supported peace and stability to join the ongoing UN-facilitated Djibouti process, which aided the formation of a new Government of National Unity in February, as well as the creation of a newly-expanded Parliament and election of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

He also applauded the regional grouping Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU), who moved quickly to condemn the conflict, reject aggression and prepare effective action in Somalia, which has been ravaged by factional conflict since the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991.

The armed groups who launched the attacks must bear full responsibility for the deadly consequences, said Mr. Ould-Abdallah. "They are intent on continuing the violence and anarchy of the past two decades and should be rejected by the Somali people and the international community."
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