The European Union on Wednesday expressed concern over the escalating insecurity in Somalia and called on the Horn of African nation's militia to stop fighting and pursue reconciliation path.
Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Swedish Ambassador Anna Brandt said the alarming insecurity and violence in the war-torn Somalia and the human suffering it causes to the 8 million population is of "serious concern" to the 27-member EU bloc.
"We will lead EU's efforts to support the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia," said Brandt whose country assumed the EU presidency for the next six months.
She said the EU which is the largest donor of humanitarian and development assistance for the Horn of African nation will cooperate closely with other international actors to help stabilize Somalia.
Speaking during the conference, Swedish special envoy to the Somali Peace Process Joran Bjallerstedt said the crisis in Somalia which has displaced more than 180,000 people and killed 250 others since May this year requires a political process and ruled out any quick-fix solution to the 18-year crisis.
"Solving the problem in Somalia requires a process but not quick-fix measures. It also requires the collective will of the international community. The government is dealing with militia who have no idea beyond the overthrowing the legitimate government," Bjallerstedt said.
The special envoy said insecurity still remains a problem in Somalia, adding that with the collapsed infrastructure in Somalia, the Al-Shabaab and Hezbul Islam groups would find it difficult to run the country should they overthrow the fledgling government.
"These insurgents will just cause problems within small territories in Somalia, they cannot manage the whole country," Bjallerstedt said, noting that the EU will continue its support to the local police and the AMISON to enhance security in Somalia.
"We are paying salaries for the national police and parliamentarians. The EU is also supporting various programs through the UN political office for Somalia, UNDP and NGOs but the main problem is insecurity. The EU cannot provide arms but will train the soldiers to help foster peace," Bjallerstedt said.
Regional analysts said the EU's aim is to build up a police force of some 10,000 officers and a security force of 5,000. Support is also sought for the 4,300-strong African Union peacekeeping mission, AMISOM.
The AMISOM force, the only security presence backing the government, is well short of the 8,000 soldiers initially planned and is regularly attacked by the Islamist Al-Shabaab militia.
Bjallerstedt said the EU plans to help build Somali security forces and bolster the new government.
The Swedish envoy reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting the Djibouti peace process that gave rise to formation of the Government of National Unity and promised to follow-up on the unfulfilled pledges from donors since their last meeting in Brussels in April.
He said most donors have confirmed 182 million dollars out of the 213 million dollars pledged in Brussels to help the Horn of African nation meet security challenges.
"The amount of 182 million dollars has been confirmed in both cash and in kind. The EU has confirmed 94 million dollars, the United States 26 million dollars, Britain 14 million dollars, Italy 5.2 million dollars and Sweden 1.5 million dollars. This is a significant response," he said.
Bjallerstedt said the funds will be channeled through the AU mission in Somalia, AU and the Somalia government through trust funds. "There is no banking system in Somalia. We are happy the government on Monday signed an agreement with the PricewaterhouseCoopers to keep track of the donor money," Bjallerstedt said.
Islamist fighters including the hard-line Al-Shabaab militia have waged battles against the transitional government, its predecessor cabinet and their allies, vowing to fight until all foreign forces withdraw and Sharia law is imposed.
More than 1 million people have fled their homes.
Somalia has had no effective central authority since former president Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, setting off a bloody cycle of clashes between rival factions.
Source: Xinhua
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