Security Council urges new Somali President to step up peace efforts

The United Nations Security Council today voiced concern over the growing violence in Somalia, while it commended the Horn of African country’s lawmakers on the recent election of their new President.

“Council members expressed their concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Somalia and condemned the violence directed at civilians, AMISOM [the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia] and humanitarian personnel,” Ambassador Yukio Takasu of Japan, which holds the rotating Council presidency for this month, said in a press statement.

Welcoming the election of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Council called on the new leader to act quickly to establish a government of national unity and advance the peace process.

Under the 2008 Djibouti Agreement the Transitional Federal Government (TGF) and opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) – led by the new President – agreed to end their conflict.

“The members of the Council expressed their strong support for the peace process and for this important step towards political settlement in Somalia,” stressed Mr. Takasu.

The Council also called on all Somalis to support transitional federal institutions as peace and reconciliation efforts go forward and commended AMISOM along with UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, for their important work.