The UK does not have contact with the Islamist insurgents in Somalia, but we have called for an immediate end to all fighting and publicly urged all parties to commit to a truce and agree a lasting ceasefire.
We have repeatedly made clear that all parties in Somalia need to reject violence and allow the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to do their job. Any differences that some groups in Mogadishu might have with the TFG should be pursued through the National Reconciliation Congress and dialogue with the TFG rather than by resorting to violence. We condemn any attacks on the TFG, which is the only legitimate route through which governance, peace and stability can be restored to Somalia. At the same time, we have repeatedly made clear to the TFG that they must make genuine attempts to reach out to all groups in Somalia that credibly reject violence.