UN RESIDENT AND HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR CONDEMNS MURDERS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SOMALIA

UN RESIDENT AND HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR CONDEMNS MURDERS

OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SOMALIA

(Reissued as received.)

NAIROBI, 26 January(OCHA) -– The UnitedNations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Maxwell Gaylard,today condemned the recent murders of innocent women and children inclan-related conflicts in southern Somalia.

“This is a very disturbing trend and onethat has shocked the communities themselves, for both the unusual brutality ofthe killings and the intentional targeting of women and children”, said Mr.Gaylard.

During a visit last week to Xudur and Waajid villages in the Bakoolregion of south-western Somalia, several incidents were confirmed to the UnitedNations Humanitarian Coordinator, including the horrific killing in December2003 of 10 women in the vicinity of Baydhaba (Baidoa) town in Bay region.  It was reported that the atrocity wascommitted by a militia group of one of the two major sub-clans of the area,apparently in revenge for earlier killings.  Other incidents of the abduction and rape ofwomen and children have also been reported to the United Nations and localhuman rights organizations.

At a Waajid assembly of elders pursuing peacenegotiations, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator called on Somali leaders to takeall possible steps to end the cycle of violence, in particular to safeguard thesecurity and welfare of unarmed civilians, including women and children, and tobring to justice those who have committed crimes against unarmed civilians.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator welcomed a ceasefire that has beennegotiated by elders in the region, and expressed his hope that this would leadto more sustained peace and security.

For further information, please contact:  Kelly David-Toweh, UN Coordination Unit/UNOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, tel: +254 2 4448433.

* *** *