raadamiir Posted July 14, 2006 By Irwin Arieff U.N. council opens door to peacekeepers in Somalia UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Thursday expressed for the first time its willingness to consider a long-delayed deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Somalia. Council support for a "peacekeeping support operation" proposed for the lawless Horn of Africa state by the African Union and the seven-nation regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, is crucial as troops could not go in unless the council first eased a 1992 arms embargo. A statement read by French Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, the council president for July, said the 15-nation U.N. body "states its willingness" to consider such a peacekeeping operation if it feels it would contribute to peace and stability in Somalia. The statement, drafted by Britain, also expressed the council's readiness to ease the arms ban to enable Somalia's shaky Transitional Federal Government to develop its own security forces. Somalia's deputy U.N. ambassador, Idd Beddel Mohamed, welcomed the statement, saying it marked the first time the council had accepted "a request from a legitimate government in Somalia to partially lift the arms embargo so it can establish its security forces." He said the declaration sent a message to militant Islamists who captured Mogadishu on June 5 "that they are not a legitimate and responsible actor in Somalia." The Islamists oppose letting in foreign peacekeepers, although interim President Abdullahi Yusuf says they are needed to get his government on its feet and pacify the country. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has denounced letting in foreign troops as part of a crusade against the Muslim world. Somalia has had no real central authority since 1991. The Western-backed interim government was formed in neighbouring Kenya in 2004 with help from IGAD. It is based in Baidoa, 150 miles (240 km) northwest of Mogadishu, because it was too weak to set up in the former capital. Council action on the proposal for foreign peacekeepers had been stalled for weeks over internal divisions. The United States had been hesitant to embrace the idea of easing the arms embargo, while China had argued this was merited by the need for a peacekeeping mission. Source: Reuters, July 13, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gov't welcomes UN statement on revising arms embargo NAIROBI, 14 Jul 2006 (IRIN) - Somalia's transitional government on Friday welcomed a statement by the United Nations Security Council that the world body was ready to ease the arms embargo on the Horn of Africa country to pave the way for the deployment of an African peacekeeping force. "The TFG [Transitional Federal Government] welcomes the statement from the UN Security Council. It is a very positive step in the right direction," said Abdirahman Dinari, the government's spokesman. The move would enable the government to "restore law and order throughout the country", he added. The Security Council expressed on Thursday its willingness to amend the arms embargo, imposed in 1992, if it would help Somalia's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) restore law and order. "The Security Council expresses its readiness to consider a limited modification of the arms embargo to enable the TFIs, on the basis of a sustainable peace process, to develop Somalia’s security sector and national institutions capable of responding to security issues," the council said in a statement read by its president for July, ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sablière of France. "The Security Council emphasises, however, the continued contribution made to Somalia’s peace and security by the arms embargo, and calls on all to comply with it. The Security Council reiterates its intention to consider urgently how to strengthen the effectiveness of the arms embargo," the statement added. The council also reiterated its support for the TFG and called for the strengthening of broad-based institutions in the country. "The Security Council supports the Transitional Federal Government and Transitional Federal Parliament as the internationally recognised authorities to restore peace, stability and governance to Somalia. It notes the importance for stability in Somalia of broad-based and representative institutions and of an inclusive political process, as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter." The TFG, based in Baidoa, northwest of the capital Mogadishu, favours a quick deployment of an African peacekeeping force to help it establish authority. However, the Union of Islamic Courts, which controls Mogadishu and a number of other areas in the south, opposes the deployment of foreign troops in Somalia. The TFG was created in Kenya in 2004 after lengthy reconciliation talks hosted by the Intergovernmental Authority of Development (IGAD), which comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. IGAD and the African Union have urged the United Nations to revise the arms embargo to enable the interim government to set up law-enforcement institutions with the help of an African peacekeeping force. Strife-torn Somalia has had no effective national government since 1991 when the administration led by Muhammad Siyad Barre was overthrown. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedSea Posted July 15, 2006 DO the Somali people have the say in this or the outsiders? The people say there shall be no so called peacekeepers that could intervene in our affairs. I think we should listen to that than the U.N. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted July 15, 2006 ^^^Stop making up facts, the UN sent an envoy to Baido, Kismayu, Mogadishu and Galkacyu, they found overwhelming majority agreed with the need for PEACE KEEPERS. Mohamed Abdi Afay, highlighted that only the courts disagreed with this... So please do not pretend that you took a sample of the wishes of the people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dhubad. Posted July 15, 2006 ^ The UN envoy only met the so called leaders of the places they have visited so how could they say the MAJORITY of the people agreed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wiilo Posted July 15, 2006 Exactly; what the U.N needs to do is take what the majority of the Somali people wants, not what the so-called leaders wants, and yey government. Go figure:........... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted July 15, 2006 The Somali people have already spoken and the TFG is the only institution that speaks for the will of the people. Only few dowladdiid in xamar and SOL are against it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted July 15, 2006 Dhubad, did you want them to go to every house and ask the what they would like? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted July 15, 2006 ^^^^Seriously, wat are you sniffing bro, Hook me up..looooooool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naxar Nugaaleed Posted July 15, 2006 ^^^ reality, but it does not work for everyone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted July 15, 2006 Dhubad, your point is correct, many claim to speak for the Somali people when they are speaking for their clan factions, the courts are one the the JVA is another. If there was avote for peace keeping forces I bet even in Mogadishu there would be a favour for it. The majority of Mogadishu are not the armed groups of IndaCade and Sheikh Sharif, what about all the other clans, the poor the unarmed? What about the people of the Shabbele's, Bay and Bakool, Juba's, Puntland, Central regions... If you had a sample of the Somali people there is no doubt that they would like a drastic change and not this nonsence defence of special interest. The UN found out that even in four Somali cities across the country the majority of the people supported the TFG's plan on developing nation security institutions. Look what happened in Mogadishu, the courts deal is to let Inada Cade run the airport while Abukar Cadaan runs the port, is that in the interest of the people of Mogadishu??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dhubad. Posted July 15, 2006 Originally posted by Yo-Yo Ma: ^^^^Seriously, wat are you sniffing bro, Hook me up..looooooool Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted July 15, 2006 Whose reality? Don't tell me dat of Somali (cyber ku dirir warrior) living comfortably in diasporo proclaiming to know how the masses back home feel. N just who vote in those that lead this institution? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
