Nairobi, 28 March 2008 - The United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has said that the momentum for peace is irreversible. He was speaking as a high level delegation from the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia arrived in Nairobi at his invitation.
“I believe that Somalis at home and abroad are yearning for peace and will not accept the continued fighting that has made their country a pariah,” he said. “I heard this both from Somalis inside their country and from the diaspora when I recently visited the US. They would like to follow the “Right Way” as described in the Holy Koran.
“The people are very happy that the Government and opposition are responding to the strong desire of the people.
The SRSG added that the whole international community, including the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, was following the peace progress with great interest.
Earlier this month, Somalia’s President, Speaker and Prime Minister announced the TFG’s readiness to talk to all parties and the opposition responded positively.
Source: UNPOS, Mar 28, 2008