The United Nations is making efforts to move closer to the people and authorities in Somalia to nurture the development of State institutions and restore stability in the Horn of Africa country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council today.
The United Nations Political Office for Somalia and the world body's Country Team will focus on strengthening the capacities of Somali ministries, in addition to meeting with committees dealing with security arrangements and reconciliation, Mr. Ban said at the Council's open meeting.
"In each of these areas, the United Nations will continue its 'light footprint' approach in order to be closer to the Somali people and authorities," he added.
The Secretary-General said the Organization is striving to ensure that its efforts in the country are coordinated and said he will bring to the Council for consideration, in the coming months, proposals for an integrated UN operation in Somalia.
Despite humanitarian and security obstacles in Somalia, he noted that there are "glimmers of hope" in the war-ravaged country, pointing to the appointment of a new Prime Minister and the continued commitment of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to peace and reconciliation, despite recent internal divisions.
Mr. Ban enumerated the steps the UN is taking to end conflict and re-establish stability in the country, which has had no fully functioning government since 1991.
Somalia has been riven by factional warfare that has left more than two million people in need of humanitarian aid and driven 1.4 from their homes.
"Support to the TFG - its reconciliation efforts and its fight against extremism - will go a long way," the Secretary-General said. "But the international community must act now if it is to make a difference."
UN efforts under way include reconciliation efforts between the TFG and groups who have renounced violence but have not signed onto the Djibouti peace process, which seeks to restore peace and stability in Somalia through the re-establishment of State institutions in the country.
Mr. Ban said the UN is also backing the TFG in its efforts to wrap up priority tasks under the Transitional Federal Charter, especially consultations on the drafting of a new constitution, before the interim authority's mandate expires next August.
The world body, he told the 15-member Council, is strengthening its political presence in the self-declared autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland to help the TFG implement agreements with regional authorities.
Further, the UN Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia is providing critical logistical support to the mission and strengthening its military capability.
More international support, however, is required for AMISOM, which has been dogged by lack of resources, a factor that could threaten its effectiveness, Mr. Ban said.
"In a country that has been in conflict for two decades, peace requires sustained efforts and a long-term strategy," he underlined, paying tribute to AMISOM, troop-contributing countries, Somalia's neighbours, and others contributing to that goal.
Source: United Nations
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