UNITED NATIONS, June 5 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is calling on "all sides to stop the fighting" in Mogadishu, Somalia's traditional capital.
"The secretary-general continues to be concerned about the violence in Mogadishu and its environs," said Annan's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, Monday. "He appeals to all sides to stop the fighting and enter into negotiations.
"He stresses that all parties to the conflict should resolve their differences and address outstanding issues in accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter of Somalia," the spokesman added, referring to the February 2004 accord reached after negotiations in Nairobi, Kenya, among the Horn of Africa nation's different factions.
Mogadishu has recently been torn by some of the worst fighting reported in a decade; this time between Islamists and warlords with 300 people dead, 1,500 injured and 17,000 displaced, the United Nations said Monday. Islamists have claimed the upper hand.
"The recent indiscriminate shelling in Mogadishu and spreading fighting in the environs of the capital have resulted in enormous human suffering," U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland said. "At a time when people most need medical care and surgical attention, the occupation of Keysaney hospital by armed fighters constitutes a gross violation of international humanitarian law."
Six months into 2006, the U.N.'s $326-million appeal has garnered only $135 million. While food needs are 60 percent covered, all other needs identified in the appeal have less than 25 percent of the funds required, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement.
