OIC Secretary General calls for urgent international action in support of the Somali Transitional Federal Government

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
Suonday, June 21, 2009

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic (OIC), Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu who has been following with grave concern the latest escalation of the insurgency in Somalia, has launched an appeal to the international community to discharge its full responsibilities by taking urgent necessary action to ensure the survival of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia.

Prof Ihsanoglu pointed out that with the current serious military challenge faced by the internationally recognized TFG under President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, it has become unavoidable that the international community intervenes immediately to solidly back the TFG defeat the insurgency, restoring law and order throughout the country and alleviate the sufferings of the innocent civilians. In this regard, he reminded all OIC Member States of their recent commitment to Somalia made during the Damascus CFM and urged them to come to the aid of the TFG by providing all forms of assistance taking into account the precarious situation on the ground which threatens the continued existence of the legitimate Somali Government.

While reaffirming the OIC's unwavering solidarity with the TFG under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Sharif, the Secretary General then condemned in strongest terms the actions by the insurgents as pure acts of terrorism which run counter to the values of peace and reconciliation promoted by the noble religion of Islam.