Sheik Shariif Sheik Ahmed Meets MSF Officials, Encourages the Return of MSF Workers

Mogadishu, Somalia, 27 February 2008 - The Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), an umbrella group of organizations, which includes elements of the ousted Islamic Courts Council and former TFG members, held talks recently with an administrative delegation from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF-France) in Asmara, the Eritrean capital.

Representatives of the international medical relief agency discussed the humanitarian and security situations in Somalia, detailing concerns about the well-being of millions in immediate of aid, and the risks that will almost certainly accompany MSF's international staff if they are to return. ARS top-brass reminded the MSF decision-makers of the horrid living conditions across much of central and southern Somalia and of the further plight that MSF's withdrawal continues to exacerbate.

Each party offered suggestions on helping to curb the crisis in Somalia and launched inquiries into what factors and framework might better poise NGOs toward wider effectiveness in providing, delivering and conducting aid programs, projects and activities.

In late January, MSF decided to suspended all international staff presence in Somalia, after a team of its workers - one Frenchman, one Somali, and a Kenyan surgeon -- were killed by a remotely detonated bomb that hit their vehicle as it traveled near the southern port city of Kismayu, 500 km (311 miles) south of Mogadishu.

The chairman of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, Sheik Shariif Sheik Ahmed, according to a press release issued by his office, was quoted as saying that he met at length with a delegation spearheaded by Dr. Jean-Hervé Bradol, President of MSF-France, and MSF Director of Operations, Mr. Bruno Jochum.

Mr. Ahmed expressed his dismay over the killings of three MSF staff working in Kismayu and reassured MSF that ARS would support anyone intent upon providing assistance to Somali civilians, especially the humanitarian relief community.

Last month, Sheik Mukhtar Robow Abu-Mansuur, spokesman of Al-Shabaab, told Shabelle that his group "will not target foreign and local aid workers who are helping the afflicted Somali people." Both resistance figures have reiterated assertions that amid the fractious state of politics in Somalia, their respective groups are fighting only against the TFG and allied ethiopian forces and those aligned with them. The country's TFG leaders and its Ethiopian backers, they say, are responsible for the torment of the people of Somalia and the atrocities occurring on a daily basis.

Independent analyst Matt prude following developments in Somalia From Washington, he told Shabelle English that although the humanitarian situation is bleak, he does see some encouraging signs on the political front.

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