Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 10/01/2007
The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, strongly reiterated his serious concern over the recent escalation of military hostilities in Somalia, particularly the air strikes in the south of the country, which has reportedly resulted in the loss of innumerable innocent lives and widespread damage to property. The Secretary General cautioned that this unnecessary military action could seriously undermine the progress achieved so far for the attainment of lasting peace, stability and reconciliation in the country and had the potential to engulf the entire region and even beyond. Secretary General Ihsanoglu, accordingly, strongly appealed to all Somalis, particularly the leaders of different factions, to work for the stability of their country; to cease hostilities and to sincerely strive towards genuine national reconciliation. The Secretary General also appealed to all neighbouring countries of Somalia and global powers to immediately end their military intervention in the country. Likewise, Secretary General Ihsanoglu also strongly reiterated his appeal to the United Nations and the international community to play an effective role in expeditiously stabilizing the extremely volatile situation in Somalia. The General Secretariat continues to closely follow the developments in Somalia and to work with the international community to achieve peace, normalcy and national reconciliation in the country. The Secretary General is shortly dispatching a high-level OIC mission to visit Somalia and its neighbouring countries.
