'Breaking News'U.N. authorizes regional force to protect Somalia

[Juje]

U.N. authorizes regional force to protect Somalia's weak government and lifts arms embargo to equip it

 

The Associated PressPublished: December 6, 2006

 

UNITED NATIONS: The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to authorize a regional force to protect Somalia's weak government which is under increasing pressure from Islamic militants and lifted an arms embargo to allow the force to be equipped.

 

The U.S.-sponsored resolution urged the Islamic militants, who have taken control of the capital and most of southern Somalia since June, to stop any further military expansion and join the transitional government in talks to achieve a peaceful political settlement in the country which has not had an effective government since 1991.

 

It threatened Security Council action against those who block peace efforts or attempt to overthrow the government. No measures were mentioned, but they could include targeted sanctions.

 

The arms embargo against Somalia was imposed in 1992, a year after warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on one another. A government was formed with the help of the U.N. two years ago, but has struggled to assert its authority against the Islamic militants.

Critics of the resolution, including some non-governmental organizations, accuse the Security Council of taking sides in supporting the transitional government.

 

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the United States, like many other countries, is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Somalia and the possibility of a wider regional conflict, and views a regional force "as a key element in preventing conflict."

 

There are fears that Somalia could become a proxy battleground for Ethiopia and Eritrea, which fought a border war in 1998-2000.

 

A confidential U.N. report obtained recently by The Associated Press said 6,000-8,000 Ethiopian troops were in Somalia or along the border, supporting the transitional government. It also said 2,000 soldiers from Eritrea were inside Somalia, supporting the Islamic militia — which Eritrea denies. Ethiopia insists it has sent only a few hundred advisers.

 

The resolution authorizes the seven-nation regional group, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development known as IGAD, and members of the African Union to establish "a protection and training mission in Somalia" for an initial period of six months.

 

It lifts the 1992 arms embargo so the regional force can by supplied with weapons and military equipment and engage in technical training.

 

The resolution bans Somalia's neighbors from sending soldiers — a provision demanded by European members of the Security Council who want to ensure that the force's aim is to promote peace.

 

The ban would prohibit participation in the force by troops from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya — but not Uganda, which is the only country thus far to volunteer troops.

 

Council diplomats said IGAD envisions a force of eight battalions, each with 700 to 800 troops, but only two would be deployed in the first phase.

 

Bolton told the council that the U.S. views the deployment of a regional force "as a critical element to help resume credible dialogue" between the transitional government and the Union of Islamic Courts.

 

"It will also help to create the conditions for Ethiopian and Eritrean disengagement from Somalia," he said.

[Oromia]

The ban would prohibit participation in the force by troops from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya — but not Uganda, which is the only country thus far to volunteer troops.

To bad for the 'general'.

[Che -Guevara]

The trouble is gonna ensue as the waters subside. This is sad day for Somalia. I don't know what could ill-equipped/trained African force could do to bring peace to our land. But I guess we deserve this.

 

Oromo....Too bad, but in reality the Ethios are already there. This is meant to justify their illegal presence in Somalia.

[Kamalu Diin]

Wow Frence negotiated for USC/ICU...that resulted removal of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djabuti. I gues France's Arab relations what else it could be.

[Abwaan]

This could mean anything. It looks like that America wants poor African countries to share its pain of loosing armed forces' lifes in Iraq and Afghanistan everyday.

 

Which African country would send its forces to Somalia though? Uganda might change its mind and we already hearing that their parliament said NO, plus her original friends (Ethiopia and Kenya) are out of the question. Nigeria's Forces are always for hire.........may be South Africa would want to expand its muscle to the East...

[General Duke]

Oromia, I got what I wanted from the security council. A great damage limitations excercise from your part.

 

The first time in 16 years that the world is working with a Somali government, this is a great day.

 

The TFG now is the sole representative of the Somali people, the courts and other factions have to now play ball.

 

It has the legal right to get arms from any quarter, while the Courts and other groups, including the secesionist can not.

 

I also welcome the front line countries exclusion, thus no excuses from the opposition that this is a Tigray agenda.

[Fiqikhayre]

Great news, that the weapons embargo has been lifted. I very much welcome the UN resolution. Now the government can get what it needs, whether they borrow, I guess Melez doesn't have any objectives if we do borrow one or two of his 'toys'!

 

Great day for Somalia! The International community finally sees light and engages one more time in Somalia. This is an endorsement of the TFG and threat to anyone who opposes the government.

 

All those guys who work against the government have been warned. They serious folks, sanctions will follow if the opponents of the state don't tow the line!

 

That's what the government wanted all along.

 

Viva to the new UN-Resolution and may it succeed to bring peace to our country! Ameen.

[Juje]

Oromia this is the scary part :

 

It threatened Security Council action against those who block peace efforts or attempt to overthrow the government. No measures were mentioned, but they could include targeted sanctions.

Anyone who opposses the old man will be seen as a threat to peace.

Warba ma idinka heysaan, wa hada kadiib 'noolow madalow' qada hadaad didana wa la idin xira.

[Fiqikhayre]

UN's own mouthpiece:

Security Council approves African protection force in Somalia!!

 

Security Council

 

6 December 2006 – The Security Council today authorized the establishment of an African protection and training mission

in Somalia to help defend the troubled country’s Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).

 

The new force, which will be set up by the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African group, has an

initial mandate of six months

, according to a resolution adopted unanimously by the Council.

 

The Council said it was acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in authorizing the peacekeeping mission.

 

No countries bordering Somalia will be able to deploy troops in the force, which is to be known as

IGASOM

and is being created amid mounting international concern at the lack of progress in peace talks between the TFIs and the Union of Islamic Courts, which controls the capital, Mogadishu.

 

The mission is charged with: protecting members of the TFIs, including the Government; training those institutions’ security forces to provide their own security and help re-establish national security forces; maintaining security in Baidoa, where the TFIs are based; monitoring progress on dialogue between the TFIs and the Islamic Courts; and ensuring the free movement and safety of all those involved in the dialogue process.

 

Under the resolution, the arms embargo on Somalia has been

partially lifted

to allow the supply of

“weapons and military equipment and technical training and assistance intended solely for” the new force.

 

Council members also stressed that they consider the TFIs and the Transitional Federal Charter to “offer the only route to achieve peace and stability in Somalia,”

which has not had a functioning national government since the regime of Muhammad Siad Barre was toppled in 1991.

 

The resolution urged both sides to resume peace talks immediately, and warned that the Council would take action against anyone who tries to block peaceful dialogue or

overthrow

the TFIs by

force

.

 

Last week Council members adopted a resolution condemning the recent spike in Somalia’s weapons trade and extending the mandate by six months of a group of experts charged with monitoring the flow of arms.

[OLOL]

af waa kanaa meey lagu aamee! you could let caasho and his cowards get more support from the infidels but would they succeed? can they fight?

 

I guarentee Somalia becoming worse than IRAQ. If you liked Baghdad, you will love Mogadishu.

 

insurgency, jihadism, suicide bombings will ensue. the first victim would be those ragtag african soldeirs and Yeey's militia.

 

 

This is an invitation to all Mujaahidiin to congregate in Somalia to their way to heaven. ALLAHU AKBAR ....

[General Duke]

^^^Why all the threats and panic man? Calm down son, dont raise your blood pressure brother. What will be will be, you sound like Yusuf indaCade..

[General Duke]

Taageerida in Soomaaliya laga qaado cuno- qabataynta ayaa waxaa hortaagnaa oo edeymo dhinac ah u soo jeediyey hay'ado badan oo ka shaqaysta wadamada bur-burka ku jira siday uga faa'iidaystaan dhibaatooyinka sii jiitamaya ee wadanka Soomaaliya uu ku jiro.

 

These included those ICG louts and others who wanted to keep us in our place. Sorry Mat Bryden, and from now on forever be out of our business.

 

source

[Juje]

Olol you are technically breaking the resolution now, your criticism amounts to attemting to overthrow the government thus you should be punished.

Sxb this resolutiuon recognises, protects and enhances the TFG. Nothing else.

Amar dowlow mudec ninki dida dabal, weliba wala karbasho

[Somali_Friend]

Originally posted by General Duke:

you sound like Yusuf indaCade..

[Fiqikhayre]

This is the actual 'text' of the UN Security council:

The full text of resolution 1724 (2006) reads as follows:

 

 

“The Security Council,

 

 

“Reaffirming its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992, which established an embargo on all delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia (hereinafter referred to as the “arms embargo”), resolution 1519 (2003) of 16 December 2003, resolution 1558 (2004) of 17 August 2004, resolution 1587 (2005) of 15 March 2005, resolution 1630 (2005) of 14 October 2005, and resolution 1676 (2006) of 10 May 2006,

 

 

“Reaffirming the importance of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,

 

 

“Stressing the need for the Transitional Federal Institutions to continue working towards establishing effective national governance in Somalia,

 

 

“Reiterating the urgent need for all Somali leaders to take tangible steps to continue political dialogue,

 

 

“Commending the efforts of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the League of Arab States for their continued support for national reconciliation in Somalia, and urging both the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Union of Islamic Courts to recommit to the principles of the 22 June Khartoum Declaration and the agreements made at the 2-4 September Khartoum meeting and to engage in the next round of talks without further delays,

 

 

“Reiterating its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General,

 

 

“Taking note of the report of the Monitoring Group dated 22 November 2006 (S/2006/913, annex) submitted pursuant to paragraph 3 (i) of resolution 1676 (2006) and the observations and recommendations contained therein,

 

 

“Condemning the significant increase in the flow of weapons and ammunition supplies to and through

Mogadishu

and

UIC held areas

,

which constitutes a violation of the arms embargo and a serious threat to peace and stability in Somalia,

 

 

“Reiterating its insistence that all Member States, in particular those in the region, should refrain from any action in contravention of the arms embargo and should take all necessary steps to hold violators accountable,

 

 

“Reiterating and underscoring the importance of enhancing the monitoring of the arms embargo in Somalia through persistent and vigilant investigation into the violations, bearing in mind that strict enforcement of the arms embargo will improve the overall security situation in Somalia,

 

 

“Determining that the situation in UIC held areas of Somalia constitutes a threat to international peace and security in the region,

 

 

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

 

 

“1. Stresses the obligation of all Member States to comply fully with the measures imposed by resolution 733 (Dec, 2006);

 

 

“2. Expresses its intention, in light of the report of the Monitoring Group dated 22 November 2006 (S/2006/913, annex), to consider specific action to improve implementation of and compliance with measures imposed by the new resolution 733 (Dec 2006);

 

3. Urges its strongest condemnation to those, who oppose the TFI and its Transitional Federal Charter;

 

4. Promises it support to the weak Transitional Federal Institutions by ordering the AU and Igad to send a regional force in order to secure the peace and well-being of all the members of the TFI and its related Transitional Federal Charter;

 

5. Stresses the need for neighbouring countries in particular the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Eritrea to refrain from any actions, that could inflame the situation on the ground in Somalia and region;

 

6. Condems all the opponents of the Transitional Federal Instituitions and its Federal Trasitional Charter, which is the only viable way to peace and harmony in Somalia;

 

7. Warns against any actions by the UIC and other opponents of the Transitional Federal Instituitions and Federal Transitional Charter, that could destabilise or worsen the sitution on the ground in Somalia;

 

8. Elaborates its support to the TFI and its Transitional Federal Charter by adopting this resolution, which could possibly sanction any parties, that could go against it or try to overthrow the only viable and recognised Transitional Federal Instituitions and Transitional Federal Charter of Somalia by the UN and its Security Council of permanent states;