At critical juncture in future of Somalia’s “Roadmap to Peace" and hours after Al-Shabaab fighters again fought with UN and African Union troops within city outskirts, UNSG Ban Ki-moon and UNGA President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser made unannounced visit to Somalia (UN Photos Above). The SG held a news conference in which he offered: “We have come here to see for [ourselves] the changes under way and show the strong solidarity of the United Nations and the broader international community…I believe we are now at a critical juncture – a moment of fresh opportunities for the future of [the] Somali people. On the political front, to bring a new measure of stability and possibilities to people’s lives. On the military front, to consolidate gains. On the recovery front, to help break the cycle of famine, poverty once and for all.” Full Energy on “Roadmap” Mr. Ban emphasized the “Roadmap” that was agreed in September and which spells out priority measures to be implemented before the current transitional governing arrangements end next August, in the areas of security, the drafting of a new constitution and reconciliation. “It must be done in an inclusive and transparent way.” Read:-“Who Represents Somalia – Is ‘Roadmap’ Answer?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/who-represents-somalia-is-roadmap-answer-by-ambassador-mo/42334 Moving UN Office from Nairobi to Mogadishu: Mr. Ban announced that the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), headed by Special Representative Augustine Mahiga, will re-locate from Nairobi to Mogadishu in January. Mr. Ban also praised the efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and stressed the need for the mission to deploy at its full strength of 12,000 troops. See Film Report: – MARCH 2011 – “War Without End-Somalia” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/war-without-end-somalia/26982 ) Famine Continues Although Better: The situation – particularly in central and southern Somalia – remains dire, Mr. Ban said, noting that four million people are in crisis, and 250,000 people face famine. The Al-Shabaab’s threats and attacks upon humanitarian workers/efforts also caused Mr. Ban to condemn: “Humanitarian organizations in Somalia remain strictly neutral. Their mission is only to save lives, to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance,” he emphasized. “Any attack on them is an attack on the most vulnerable people in the country.” (Read: -“UN Response Somalia” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-response-somalia-by-ambassador-mo/40545) Full Link to UNSG Ban Ki-moon’s Press Conference - www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=2127 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX More at “Humanitarian Channel” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/humanitarian