Nairobi, 25 January 2010 – The Special Representative of UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, traveled today to Mogadishu along with Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security and Mr. Boubacar Diara, the recently appointed Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) to hold wide range discussions with the senior members of the Government, including President Sheikh Sharif.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the current priorities and ongoing activities in the area of infrastructure. On behalf of the Government and population of Somalia, the President expressed his gratitude to the United Nations, African Union and the International Community at large for their continued support and assistance. President, Speaker and the Prime Minister conveyed their sympathy to the families of all the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. They deplored the heavy loss incurred by the UN in that tragedy.

The delegation also visited the Headquarters of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) where they were briefed on the activities of the troops on the ground. It is in this context that the delegation took note of the work undertaken by the AU Peacekeeping mission.