By KEVIN J. KELLEY
Time and money are both in short supply as Somalia scurries to meet an approaching deadline for establishing a new political order, the United Nations special envoy for Mogadishu warned last week.
Western forces are simultaneously piling military pressure on pirates who have contributed to the lawlessness that has plagued Somalia for the past 20 years.
A European Union naval force last week carried out a first-ever raid on an inland pirate base, reportedly destroying fuel depots, speed boats and weapons stockpiles. Calling the air attack “focused, precise and proportionate,” the EU emphasised that none of its troops had set foot on Somali soil. Surveillance indicated that there had been no Somali casualties, the EU added.
At the UN, Special Representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga told the Security Council that the country is entering its “most critical stage” in the run-up to the August 20 deadline for dissolution of transitional governing arrangements in place since 2004. There will be no extension of the deadline, US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice declared during the council’s debate on Somalia.
A “roadmap” for Somalia’s future drawn up last September calls for establishment of a new Parliament as well as a 1,000-member National Constituent Assembly charged with drafting a new constitution for the country.
“The lack of funding for implementing the roadmap in the remaining three months is of serious concern to all of us,” Mahiga told the Security Council. “The Constituent Assembly is almost grinding to a halt for lack of funding.”
The special representative repeated warnings to unnamed “spoilers” who, he charged, are trying to obstruct the political process. Mahiga noted that the UN, the African Union military mission in Somalia (Amisom) and East Africa’s InterGovernmental Authority on Development have jointly threatened sanctions against those designated as spoilers. “Naming and shaming” of these “elements” may also occur, Mahiga said.
The United Kingdom’s UN ambassador, Philip Parham, offered a counterpoint during the council’s debate, cautioning that dissenters should not be disparaged as spoilers. He called for transparency in deliberations pertaining to implementation of the roadmap.
Mahiga presented an optimistic assessment of the security situation, saying Al Shabaab militants are now “retreating rapidly.”
Somalia’s president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was less positive. He told the council that additional international assistance is needed to maintain the security gains that have been achieved and to address the continuing threats posed by Al Shabaab.
In her remarks to the council, US envoy Rice cited “signs of promise for the country” and described Somalia as “a different and better place” than it was a year ago.
“Areas on the outskirts of Mogadishu and the key cities of Beledweyne, Baidoa, and Huddur in southwestern Somalia have recently been liberated from Al Shabaab,” Rice noted. She credited these gains to Amisom and Somalia’s own security units, saying the losses of lives sustained by these forces “are testament to their will and dedication to bring peace and stability to Somalia.”
Calling for full staffing of Amisom to a level of 20,000 troops, Rice also urged donor states to increase their support for Somalia’s security forces.
Source: The East African
Time and money are both in short supply as Somalia scurries to meet an approaching deadline for establishing a new political order, the United Nations special envoy for Mogadishu warned last week.
Western forces are simultaneously piling military pressure on pirates who have contributed to the lawlessness that has plagued Somalia for the past 20 years.
A European Union naval force last week carried out a first-ever raid on an inland pirate base, reportedly destroying fuel depots, speed boats and weapons stockpiles. Calling the air attack “focused, precise and proportionate,” the EU emphasised that none of its troops had set foot on Somali soil. Surveillance indicated that there had been no Somali casualties, the EU added.
At the UN, Special Representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga told the Security Council that the country is entering its “most critical stage” in the run-up to the August 20 deadline for dissolution of transitional governing arrangements in place since 2004. There will be no extension of the deadline, US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice declared during the council’s debate on Somalia.
A “roadmap” for Somalia’s future drawn up last September calls for establishment of a new Parliament as well as a 1,000-member National Constituent Assembly charged with drafting a new constitution for the country.
“The lack of funding for implementing the roadmap in the remaining three months is of serious concern to all of us,” Mahiga told the Security Council. “The Constituent Assembly is almost grinding to a halt for lack of funding.”
The special representative repeated warnings to unnamed “spoilers” who, he charged, are trying to obstruct the political process. Mahiga noted that the UN, the African Union military mission in Somalia (Amisom) and East Africa’s InterGovernmental Authority on Development have jointly threatened sanctions against those designated as spoilers. “Naming and shaming” of these “elements” may also occur, Mahiga said.
The United Kingdom’s UN ambassador, Philip Parham, offered a counterpoint during the council’s debate, cautioning that dissenters should not be disparaged as spoilers. He called for transparency in deliberations pertaining to implementation of the roadmap.
Mahiga presented an optimistic assessment of the security situation, saying Al Shabaab militants are now “retreating rapidly.”
Somalia’s president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was less positive. He told the council that additional international assistance is needed to maintain the security gains that have been achieved and to address the continuing threats posed by Al Shabaab.
In her remarks to the council, US envoy Rice cited “signs of promise for the country” and described Somalia as “a different and better place” than it was a year ago.
“Areas on the outskirts of Mogadishu and the key cities of Beledweyne, Baidoa, and Huddur in southwestern Somalia have recently been liberated from Al Shabaab,” Rice noted. She credited these gains to Amisom and Somalia’s own security units, saying the losses of lives sustained by these forces “are testament to their will and dedication to bring peace and stability to Somalia.”
Calling for full staffing of Amisom to a level of 20,000 troops, Rice also urged donor states to increase their support for Somalia’s security forces.
Source: The East African
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