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| Last Updated: Apr 3, 2012 - 2:47:55 AM |
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UN envoy urges Somalia MPs to stop violence and implement Roadmap and Garowe Principles
6 Jan 6, 2012 - 1:33:17 PM
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MOGADISHU, Somalia Jan 6, 2011 (Garowe Online) - The UN Special Envoy to Somalia Amb. Augustine Mahiga issued a press statement Friday, urging Somali lawmakers to “refrain from violence” following several days of brawls inside Somali parliament, Radio Garowe reports.
Ambassador Mahiga called on “all parties to refrain from violence of any kind and to resolve whatever disagreements they may have through peaceful political dialogue and legal procedures as provided for in the Transitional Federal Charter, upon which the credibility of Parliament is based.”
READ: UN Special Representative concerned about continuing dispute in Somali Parliament
While noting that the violence is “regrettable,” the statement continues on to say that “appropriate action must be taken against those involved in instigating violence and spoilers.”
The statement noted the growing international interest in Somalia, saying that the dispute is “particularly ill-timed” and comes at a moment “when the entire region, and indeed the international community as a whole, is scaling up attention and support for Somalia to advance the recent gains on the security and political tracks.”
Continuing, the statement said: "The SRSG called on all parties to put aside their differences and work together in a spirit of cooperation and reconciliation to implement the Roadmap on ending the transition and the Garowe Principles."
READ: Somalia leaders sign Garowe Principles at Constitutional Conference
Ambassador Mahiga’s statement supported the efforts by TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to diffuse tensions inside parliament. On Thursday, President Sharif and the National Security Council, rejected the “election” of MP Madobe Nunow on 4 January 2012.
READ: Somalia: President Sharif rejects Nunow as Speaker
A group of Somali lawmakers, led by MP Nunow, held a controversial no-confidence vote against Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden on 13 Dec. 2011. Another group of MPs, who are supporters of Speaker Sharif Hassan, have engaged in fistfights and brawls with the rival MPs four times since the 13 Dec. 2011 vote.
READ: Somalia MPs hospitalized after fourth brawl in parliament
Ambassador Mahiga, in his capacity as head of UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), has been leading efforts to advance national peace and reconciliation under the Roadmap process signed by Somali stakeholders.
The parliamentary infighting has created new political problems and poses some risk to the continuation of the Roadmap process.
GAROWE ONLINE
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