POLITICAL OFFICIAL
New York, Jul 9 2009 4:10PM
If the international community allows Somalia's Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) – forged in a process of consensus – to fail, the
poverty-stricken Horn of Africa nation will be taken over by
opposition groups employing tactics of coercion and intimidation, the
top United Nations political official cautioned today.
Last year's UN-facilitated Djibouti Agreement ended the conflict
between the TFG and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia,
with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed taking office in January and
a new Government being formed in February.
"The choice before us is a stark one: either we help the Somali people
overcome the current attempt to thwart efforts towards peace or we
allow the new unity Government based on consensus and the Djibouti
Accords to fall to a radical armed opposition," B. Lynn Pascoe,
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told an open meeting of
the Security Council.
The TFG is being challenged by insurgent forces, backed by foreign
fighters, but "strives to maintain cohesion despite the obvious
difficulties faced by any government of national unity," he said.
It is reaching out, he noted, to opposition forces and working to
broaden its support among community, religious and civil society
leaders, while trying to project a moderate vision of Islam in line
with Somali culture.
In contrast, the rebel Al Shabaab has been assassinating clan leaders
and Government officials, doling out harsh punishments for minor
offenses, Mr. Pascoe said.
He also called for nations to honour the pledges made in April at a
donors' conference in Brussels for both the Government and the African
Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), emphasizing that it is in the
world's interest to ensure that the TFG does not collapse.
"To enable the Government to enhance its legitimacy and broaden its
base, we must invest in building the security institutions and improve
its capacity to deliver public services and employment, which would
have a positive impact on the hearts and minds of ordinary Somalis,"
the official said.
National reconciliation is also a key element in consolidating peace
in the country, he stressed, adding that the country's peace process
is open to all groups renouncing violence and willing to cooperate
with the Government.
Also essential is bolstering AMISOM and providing it with the
resources necessary to support the TFG and the Somali people, Mr.
Holmes told the Council.
Last month, a suicide car-bomb attack killed the national security
minister, Omar Hashi Aden, and a number of innocent civilians.
"As President Sharif recently stated, the TFG's immediate physical
survival is very much dependent on a more robust AMISOM presence," Mr.
Holmes said today, calling on nations to back efforts to allow the
force to reach its full authorized strength of 8,000.
Also calling for greater support for AMISOM today was Susana Malcorra,
Under-Secretary-General for the Department for Field Support (DFS).
Coordination is essential given that most of the funds pledged to the
African Union (AU) and troop-contributing countries will be provided
bilaterally, she said.
"I urge all Member States and regional organizations, including the
European Union and the League of Arab States, to redouble efforts to
expedite disbursement of pledges and to work closely with the UN to
ensure that the combined support for AMISOM can be identified and
prioritized," she said.
Meanwhile, "on the ground, we are gathering momentum," Ms. Malcorra
said, with the UN supplying rations to AMISOM and constructing
hospitals, among other steps.
At the end of today's meeting, which heard from nearly two dozen
speakers, the Council underscored the need for the Djibouti Agreement
to remain the foundation for the resolution of the conflict in
Somalia.
"The Security Council reaffirms its support for the Transitional
Federal Government as the legitimate authority in Somalia under the
Transitional Federal Charter," according to a presidential statement
read out by Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda of Uganda, which holds the
Council's rotating presidency this month.
Condemning recent attacks on the TFG and civilians, it reiterated its
demand that "violent opposition groups immediately end their
offensive, put down their arms, renounce violence and join
reconciliation efforts."
Mr. Rugunda said that the 15-member Council deplores the loss of life
and worsening humanitarian crisis.
Earlier this week, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
reported that over 200,000 people have now been forced to flee the
Somali capital, Mogadishu, since fighting broke out between the
Government and opposition groups in early May, in the biggest exodus
from the troubled city since Ethiopian forces intervened in the Horn
of Africa nation in 2007.
Today, the Council commended AMISOM's efforts in Somalia, and took
note of the communiqué recently issued at the AU summit in Sirte,
Libya, which called on the Council to impose sanctions against Eritrea
and others supporting armed groups undermining peace and
reconciliation in Somalia.
"The Security Council is deeply concerned in this regard and will
consider expeditiously what action to take against any party
undermining the Djibouti Peace Process," Mr. Rugunda said.
Jul 9 2009 4:10PM
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