Friday, August 10, 2012
UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Security Council warned Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels on Thursday against trying to impede the peace process in Somalia.
The 15 council members hailed the adoption of a new provisional constitution earlier this month by the Somali National Constituent Assembly, saying it marked an "important milestone" in the easternAfrican nation's transition toward "more stable and accountable governance."
"The members of the Security Council strongly condemn ongoing attempts, including by the Shebab, to undermine the transition process," they said in a statement.
"They recall in this regard the Security Council's willingness to take measures against both internal and external actors engaged in actions aimed at undermining the peace and reconciliation process."
The council members called for new members of parliament to be chosen "as quickly as possible, and in a transparent manner," stressing that the lawmakers should be picked "without fear of violence or intimidation."
The UN's special representative to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, has reported instances of bribes and intimidation in the designation process for new members of parliament.
Source: AFP