United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) 

For Immediate Release 

PRESS RELEASE 0015/2008 

UN Special Representative welcomes planned Security Council visit 

Djibouti, 29 May 2008 - The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has said he is pleased that the UN Security Council members have agreed to travel to Djibouti to discuss Somalia. 

The SRSG said he was disappointed that, due to a number of considerations, the Council members were not able to travel to Somalia itself. However he pointed out that the Council visit would coincide with inter Somali talks. 

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for the Somali leaders to demonstrate to the international community their strong commitment and determination to restore peace and stability to Somalia,” he said. “All Somalis from inside Somalia and the diaspora can and should play a key role in helping this. The independence, honour and dignity of Somalia are at stake. ’ 

The UN Security Council will be in Djibouti from 2 – 3 June 2008. During their visit they will also meet the international community, members of the UN Country Team and Somali civil society. 

The talks involving the Somalis are due to resume on 31 May. Following their last meeting, the two sides agreed to take ‘courageous measures’ to resolve the crisis through peaceful means and to call on the UN Secretary General and Security Council to help with all necessary measures to implement their final decisions. 

“I have been extremely encouraged by the progress made so far and the huge support we have received from Somalis inside and outside the country,” said Mr Ould-Abdallah. “Both the Government and the opposition have shown their unwavering, patriotic commitment to reconciliation and have emphasized that Somalia is their number one priority. 

“The UN has pledged its full support to both parties and to all peace loving Somalis and it is hopeful that the appalling crisis in the country will now start to be resolved.

I am thankful to the European Union in particular for its financial assistance and to the Djibouti Government for its generous hospitality.”

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Suannah Price, Public Information Officer, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)  Tel. +254 20 762 1192 (o) or +254 733 902020 (m).