Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on
Somalia

The Secretary-General condemns the brutal killing of the acting head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) office in Mogadishu yesterday by unidentified gunmen. He expresses his heartfelt sympathies to the victim's family and colleagues, as well as to those injured in the attack. The killing of Osman Ali Ahmed is a loss not only for the United Nations but also for the Somali people, who are the ultimate victims when humanitarian workers and aid officials are targeted in this way.

The Secretary-General encourages all Somalis to reflect on this latest senseless act of violence and to work together in the search for peace and reconciliation.