SECRETARY-GENERAL WISHES SOMALI PEOPLE SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL RECONCILIATION CONGRESS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General wishes the people of Somalia a successful beginning to the National Reconciliation Congress scheduled to start this weekend in Mogadishu.  He commends the determination of the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee and the Somali delegates to proceed with this important event in the face of many obstacles.  He urges continued efforts to ensure the broadest possible participation in the process.

The Secretary-General condemns the violent incidents and threats in recent days aimed at disrupting the Congress.  He calls on opposition groups inside and outside Somalia to renounce violence and join the Congress process in order to give reconciliation a chance to succeed and to work together in addressing the peace, security and development challenges facing the country.

The Secretary-General stresses that the National Reconciliation Congress is the beginning of the process of rebuilding consensus in Somali society.  He expresses the commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting all-inclusive efforts at national reconciliation and greater international assistance to help bring peace and stability to Somalia.

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For information media • not an official record