For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE 0018/2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Nairobi (UNPOS) - The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has deplored the recent killings of innocent victims and the resulting displacement of people in Kismayo.

He said that the fighting was to control the port for resource generation and not, as portrayed in some places, a political or other issue.

He also said he was deeply saddened by the large number of deaths during recent fighting in Afgoye and Mogadishu areas on 16 and 17 August. According to reports from the field, a large number of civilians were killed in what appeared to be indiscriminate attacks on the road between Afgoye and Mogadishu. Sources indicate that several victims had gunshot wounds and suggest more than 2000 persons have been displaced from the area because of the violence. Both sides to the conflict accuse each other of the violations.

“I call upon all parties to the conflict in Somalia to respect international human rights and humanitarian law, and to stand by their commitments under the Djibouti agreement,” said Mr Ould-Abdallah. “I convey my sympathy to the victims and their families.”

Mr Ould-Abdallah said the acts might amount to serious violations of international law, for which those responsible may be held accountable.

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For more information please contact: Susannah Price, Public Information Officer, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya) Tel. +254 20 762 1192 (o) or +254 733 902020 (m).  Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org