United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and award-winning actress Angelina Jolie is calling for more international attention and assistance for thousands of Somalis trapped in the country’s capital of Mogadishu by some of the deadliest violence to date.
“I am deeply troubled by the complete and utter disregard for human life in Somalia,” said Jolie, echoing recent calls by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres. “I appeal to those who carry on fighting not to shell and target civilian neighbourhoods.”
Nearly daily fighting between Government forces and its supporters, backed by African Union peacekeepers, and Islamist rebels has killed or injured more than 900 people last month in Mogadishu.
The UN estimates that 100,000 people were displaced from or within the capital city since the beginning of the year, and more than 170,000 in total across the country.
Representatives of some 40 countries will discuss the situation in Somalia on Wednesday at the International Contact Group meeting in Cairo, to be hosted by the League of Arab States.
Source: United Nations
