Upsurge in Somali fighting prompts concern
Somalia-UN, Politics, 12/23/2006

The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday voiced grave concern at the recent intensified fighting in Somalia between the strife-torn country's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).

Media reports say that hundreds of people may have been killed this week during clashes between the two groups wresting for control of a State that has not had a functioning national government since 1991.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Annan warned that the latest outbreak of fighting "will have disastrous consequences for civilians, who are already suffering from the effects of years and instability and deprivation, compounded by the severe flooding that has recently affected parts of the country."

The Secretary-General urged both the UIC, which controls the nominal capital, Mogadishu, and the TFIs, based in the provincial city of Baidoa, to cease hostilities immediately and resume peace talks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

The third round of peace talks, to focus on security and power-sharing, were slated to begin in October but then postponed after both sides came with preconditions. They were then scheduled to resume this month.

His statement added that Annan was particularly concerned about "continuous reports of the involvement of foreign forces in the current conflict," and he called on all nations to respect Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Previous Stories:
  Somalia peace talks seen positive   (9/5/2006)
  Somalia: UN envoy urges pressure for talks   (8/16/2006)
  UN envoy to Somalia says dialogue is essential; could pave the way for observer force   (8/1/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search