The new U.N. envoy to Somalia made his first visit to the conflict-wracked Somali capital on Saturday to discuss the humanitarian needs of the country with government officials, the Associated Press reported. Officials have in recent weeks called for assistance to help deal with the effects of flooding in southern Somalia and also those displaced by the violence in Mogadishu. But aid agencies have said in the past that Somali officials have hampered their work or delayed aid at roadblocks. «I will basically discuss with the leaders the humanitarian and human rights situation (in Somalia), (which is) the worst on the continent,» said Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative to Somalia. He was speaking to journalists on arrival at Mogadishu's main airport. Capt. Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, said Abdallah will meet with President Abdullahi Yusuf, among other officials.
