Top UN envoy holds high-level talks on humanitarian assistance for Somalia

The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonsény Fall, has held a series of high-level talks in Nairobi to discuss the political situation in the Somali capital Mogadishu, and what humanitarian assistance is needed by the people affected by the recent fighting there.

Mr. Fall met with Ambassadors and senior members of the international community in Nairobi and also held discussions with the Governor of Mogadishu, who briefed him on the situation in the capital and appealed for humanitarian and medical assistance, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters today.

After these talks, the Special Representative arrived today in Hargeisa in the Somaliland region of the country where he is meeting with local authorities, the spokesman said, adding that the envoy is travelling with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Eric Laroche.

Mr. Fall is scheduled to brief the Security Council on the situation next week, and this will follow yesterday’s call by the 15-member body for all concerned to comply with the arms embargo and avoid any further destabilization in a country that has seen intensifying violence as Islamic forces reportedly took control of Mogadishu after fierce battles with other groups.

“Members of the Security Council expressed deep concern over the recent escalation of violence in Somalia and we urged all countries to resume dialogue within the Transitional Federal Institutions for the sake of the stability of the country and the safety of its people,” Ellen Margrethe Løj of Denmark, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency, told the press at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.