Somalia: Calls for ceasefire and end to violence

Security Council calls for ceasefire and end to violence in Somali capital

Expressing deep concern at the recent reports of violence in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, which have led to a large number of casualties and the displacement of thousands of people, the United Nations Security Council today called for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire by the warring parties.

In a press statement read out by the Council president for May, Ambassador Basile Ikouébé of the Republic of the Congo, the 15-member body also urged all parties in the Horn of Africa country “to allow for the resumption of humanitarian activities, the rescue of survivors and the recovery of the deceased.”

Mr. Ikouébé noted that the Council was briefed on recent Somali developments yesterday by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tuliameni Kalomoh.

In its statement, the Council reiterated its full support for the Transitional Federal Institutions as they try to implement the Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic. It urged all parties to return to the path of dialogue and reconciliation and work within the framework of the Transitional Federal Institutions.

The Transitional Federal Institutions have been working with East Africa’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU) and the international community in an effort to develop a National Security and Stabilization Plan to bring peace to the impoverished country.

The Security Council members firmly underscored their united support for the IGAD-sponsored reconciliation process in Somalia and appealed to all Somali leaders of factions to fully cooperate with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, François Lonsény Fall, the Contact Group and IGAD leaders in their endeavours to secure a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement by all the parties concerned.

Members of the Security Council also reminded all 191 UN Member States of their obligation to implement and enforce the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council in 1992 and expressed their intention to consider urgently how to strengthen the effectiveness of the ban.

Earlier this month, the Council re-established for six months the mandate of the Monitoring Group on Somalia, set up to investigate any embargo violations. A report to the Council from the Monitoring Group said then, in part: “Arms, military materiel and financial support continue to flow like a river to various actors.”

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