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Murder of Somali activist undermines peace prospects, says UN

Murder of Somali activist undermines peace prospects, says UN

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The United Nations today condemned "the brutal assassination" of Somali peace activist Abdulkadir Yahya Ali, warning that such acts undermined prospects for ending turmoil in the war-torn Horn of Africa country.

"Mr. Yahya had devoted many years to foster peace and reconciliation in his country and was widely respected by his countrymen and by many in the international community," Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a statement issued by his spokesman, calling the attack a brutal murder.

"The Secretary-General condemns such acts of violence that continue to undermine the prospects for peace and reconciliation in Somalia," the statement added.

The UN office in Somalia condemned the "the brutal assassination" as undermining the prospects of stabilization in Somalia, especially in Mogadishu, the Somali capital where Mr. Yahya was murdered.

"This attack on a helpless lover of peace is of concern to all well-meaning people who have known Abdulkadir Yahya," the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) said in a statement issued on behalf of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for the country, François Lonseny Fall.