Statement 07 July 2008
Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation

Gunilla Carlsson on the murder of UN official in Somalia

"I was greatly shocked and grieved to hear that Osman Ali Ahmed, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia, was yesterday shot to death in Mogadishu. My thoughts are now with his family and his friends and colleagues at the UNDP.

"The murder of Osman Ali Ahmed is a blow against the work for peace, security and sustainable development in Somalia.

"Putting a stop to the violence and lawlessness in Somalia is a prerequisite for bringing the suffering of the population to an end. I am very concerned about the serious humanitarian situation in Somalia. More than a third of Somalia's population is currently in need of outside help for their survival."