Why Igad Must Play a Lead Role in Country

[Jacaylbaro]

Paddy Ankunda

 

 

During an extra-ordinary meeting of the Igad Council of Ministers held at the Ethiopian diplomatic mission in New York on September 24, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, and attended by Mr Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Ms Jandayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Mr Jean Ping, the Chairperson of the AU Commission and the Burundi and Somali Foreign ministers, it became evident that Somalia and more so the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) need urgent help.

 

At the same meeting, Mr Zenawi contemplated pulling out his troops. This follows the failure of the AU to deploy the envisaged 8,000 strong force.

 

 

Out of an anticipated 8,000 soldiers, only 3,400 troops from Uganda and Burundi have been realised. The frustration leading to his contemplation is well understood; and it was against this background that a decision to hold an Igad Summit meeting in Nairobi, was taken.

 

Citing deteriorating security situation, the UN has said that it may not deploy a force in Somalia soon. The escalation of piracy, increased attacks on Amisom troops and failure by the TFG to develop the Somali security forces continue to inform this decision by the UN. Understandably, this stance may not change in the near future. However, it sends a message to African leaders to stand up to the challenge on Somalia.

 

Therefore, the 13th Extra Ordinary Session of the Igad Assembly of Heads of State and Government, that occurred between October 28 and 29 in Nairobi, came at the right time. The summit resolved that Igad shall be the anchor of the peace process in Somalia.

 

As such, the Igad Assembly of Heads of State and Government shall meet every six months to review the progress made in the implementation of the decisions that were taken.

 

Also, the Heads of State decided to establish a mechanism headed by a facilitator to help monitor the implementation of their decisions and report to the Igad Council of Ministers and the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the progress made.

 

This mechanism takes the shape of the initiative that supervised the Burundi peace process. Until these decisions were taken, the peace process in Somali looked like a free for all. Since the TFG was created in 2004, there have been no clear follow up mechanisms to the implementation of the Transitional Federal Charter. As such, the road map spelt out in the charter was abandoned.

 

The AU, of course, has its share of difficulties. These range from the lack of adequate resources to manage peace missions to the failure to use donor resources advanced to it for such missions. The AU also lacks the experience in the management of Peace Support Operations.

 

From the escalating piracy off the Somali coastal waters and increased attacks on peace keepers, to the lack of political, economic and institutional development by the Somali government, Igad must seek to re-direct the Somali peace process. As it is now, the humanitarian situation remains appalling.

 

The show of support by the Heads of State to the Djibouti peace process could be a good starting point. The joint declaration signed on October 26 by both TFG and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia to create a unity government should be fast-tracked. The unity government will also feature an all inclusive parliament.

 

The other agreement signed stated that a ceasefire will come into effect on November 5 and it covers the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and their relocation.

 

Those who were saying that they are fighting only because of the Ethiopian presence in Somalia have no more reason to continue supporting or carrying out violence. Time has come to embrace dialogue and this should be the focus of Igad.

[Fabregas]

quote:At the same meeting, Mr Zenawi contemplated pulling out his troops.

 

 

He contemplated, then what?

 

(Igad is Ethiopian/Kenyan cover name)