Top UN Somalia official appeals for restraint as tensions build

The top United Nations official for Somalia today appealed for restraint from all parties in that country and the opening of dialogue between them, as tension built in Jowhar, the temporary seat of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, as a result of military movements in and around the town.

"I am concerned at the escalation of tensions in Jowhar and Mogadishu, and appeal for restraint from all parties whatever their differences," Francois Lonseny Fall, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Somalia, said.

"I urge all sides to make a serious effort to begin an inclusive dialogue," he added. "It's high time that the Transitional Federal Institutions begin to function as intended. Their inability to resolve their differences is undermining the very essence of the agreements they reached after the national reconciliation conference last October."

Thirteen United Nations international staff members were relocated from Jowhar, 90 kilometres from the capital Mogadishu, in the early afternoon in the face of the military build-up and threats issued yesterday. Six UN staff members were flown to Wajid in south-western Somalia and seven were relocated temporarily in Nairobi.

Mr. Fall said there could be no military solution to the divisions that have persisted in Somalia for so long. "The suffering of the population has continued at unacceptable cost to all Somalis for more than 14 years," he said

He also reminded the parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN international and national staff and charged them to respect the sanctity of UN premises.

Mr Fall is currently in Stockholm as part of a three-country visit to seek a strong involvement of political leaders for his efforts to foster dialogue within the Transitional Federal Institutions.