With Reported Heavy Fighting in Somalia, Secretary-General Deplores Human Cost

 

of Conflict, Calls for Redoubled Efforts to Restore Peace

 

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

The Secretary-General is following the reports of heavy fighting in Somalia.  He deplores the high human cost of the conflict and expresses his sincere condolences to the families of those civilians, forces of the Transitional Federal Government and soldiers of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) killed.

The Secretary-General reaffirms his support for the Transitional Federal Government in its role as part of the Djibouti Peace Process, AMISOM and the troop-contributing countries as they operate under a difficult mandate, as endorsed by the Security Council.  He welcomes the achievements being made in Mogadishu by the Transitional Federal Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia.  The current round of fighting underscores the need for all Somali and international stakeholders to redouble efforts to restore lasting peace and stability to Somalia.

In this critical moment, we hope the leadership of the Transitional Federal Institutions will remain united and provide the necessary political guidance, support and encouragement to the forces of the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM.

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For information media • not an official record