Nairobi, 27 April: The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has praised the international community for its generous pledges totaling more than $213 million for Somalia's security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
- and said it was now up to everyone to show the resources mobilized would be available very soon and would be spent wisely and responsibly.
"The International Conference in Brussels on Thursday, which was attended by leadership of the United Nations, African Union, European Union and Commission, the League of Arab States and Organization of Islamic Conference, should be a turning point for Somalia. While strengthening security, providing youth employment and delivering humanitarian assistance are essential, lasting peace and stability will come through continued dialogue as laid out in the Djibouti Agreement.
"Thanks to the Agreement, the displaced are returning to their homes, Parliament is more inclusive, a Government of National Unity has been constituted and the orderly withdrawal of Ethiopian took place more than three months ago.
"Those leaders who fled the country in 2006 are back and I encourage them to take part peacefully and constructively in the rebirth of Somalia."
Mr Ould-Abdallah reminded those Somalis who are on the UN Security Council Sanctions List that they should be patriotic enough to move forward and not take their country hostage to their personal ambitions.
"If these individuals work positively for peace and stability," he said, "I stand ready as the Representative of the Secretary General to enlist the support of the international community to help address successfully their legal and diplomatic situation."
"Now is the time for Somalis to show their people, their region and the international community that they are finally serious about peace and leaving behind the culture of winner takes all and the ever-shifting alliances that are still devastating their nation. Now is the time for all sides to support the progress made and work together to ensure Somalia regains its place on the world stage. Over the last 20 years force has not helped to keep power and it will not now."
For more information please contact:
Susannah Price or Donna Cusumano,
Public Information Officers, UN Political
Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)
Tel: +254 20 762 1192/1625 or +254 733902020/737400133
Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org