Gravely Concerned by Violence Outbreak in Somalia, Secretary-General Calls for Calm

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the outbreak of violence in Mogadishu and calls on all parties to exercise restraint and calm.

The Secretary-General urges the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States leaders to urgently come together and finalize political agreement on the way forward for national elections, in line with the 17 September 2020 electoral model.

The Secretary-General also calls for the full respect of the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.  He reiterates the full support of the United Nations to the people and Government of Somalia on their path towards peace, stability and prosperity.