Monday, May 14, 2007
Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Holmes who over the weekend cut short his two-day visit to Somalia for security reasons after a string of bombings there, urged the Somali transitional government to take measures aimed at promoting stability in the country.
He said it was political instability which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Somalia.
"I encouraged them as the UN system has been encouraging doing so to move as inclusive in the direction in terms of political dialogue and in terms of holding finally the national reconciliation congress," Holmes told journalists in Nairobi.
He noted that access and insecurity have impeded the provision of humanitarian assistance commensurate with the needs of the population.
"We want dialogue to be as inclusive as possible. So surely if President (Abdullahi Yusuf)has started talking to some of those people (Islamists) is a positive thing. That kind of inclusive dialogue and moving to that direction would bring lasting peace and stability in Somalia," said Holmes.
The UN relief official, who met President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi, said he highlighted his concerns about the severity and magnitude of the crisis.
He said the transitional government pledged to provide a more enabling operating environment for aid workers, urging them to look after its civilians, who have borne the brunt of years of fighting.
He said the UN has not abandoned the people of Somalis but was working to increase the humanitarian aid to reach as many people as possible.
"My visit was a symbol of the fact that we have not abandoned the Somalia people and we are doing our best to help. What we need to do is to move forward to scale up humanitarian needs to save the lives of people," said Holmes.
The UN top relief official said the African Union could not boost its peacekeeping forces in the capital until the government improved security. The capital has been mostly calm since the government declared victory over the insurgents and many residents are starting to return to their homes.
Holmes, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, became the highest- ranking UN official to visit Somalia's capital Mogadishu since the early 1990's.
Source: Xinhua, May 14, 2007