SG/SM/7554

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS SENSELESS VIOLENCE AGAINST HUMANITARIAN WORKERS

Conveys Condolences to Family of Murdered UNHCR Staff Member

Following is a statement issued Monday, 18 September by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is shocked by the murder of Mensah Kpognon, the head of the sub-office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in Macenta, Guinea, yesterday.

He is also extremely concerned over the fate of another UNHCR staff member, Sapeu Laurence Djeya, who was abducted by the same unidentified armed elements who murdered Mr. Kpognon.

He strongly condemns this senseless violence against humanitarian workers, and appeals to West African leaders to do whatever they can to secure the release of Ms. Laurence Djeya.

The Secretary-General conveys his condolences to Mr. Kpognon�s family, as well as to the UNHCR staff who are still mourning the death of three colleagues killed in West Timor only two weeks ago.

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United Nations