Dabrow Posted June 8, 2013 British and Chinese ambassadors to the United Nations called on the international community to continue to support peace-building and development in Somalia during a UN Security Council briefing on Somalia Thursday (June 6th). United Kingdom's Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds praised Somalia's dramatic progress over the last 12 months, which saw the end of transitional government and the appointment of a new leader and legislature in "the most representative political process in a generation". He also commended the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the recently launched United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). "Along with this Council, the UK will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Somali people and their government as they continue their journey towards a brighter tomorrow," he said. Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said China hopes the "international community will further strengthen co-ordination with regional countries and organisations". "We support the new government of Somalia in implementing an interim constitution, carrying out its six-point plan, strengthening institutional capacity, exercising government functions and extending effective authority over all its national territory," he said, according to China's Xinhua. Li stressed that national reconciliation is the only way to build lasting peace in Somalia, urging Somalis to renounce violence and participate in the peace process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
