'A long, hard road to peace'
2008-05-16 19:37
United Nations - The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on Thursday calling for a UN political presence in conflict-wracked Somalia for the first time in years and setting conditions for the deployment of UN peacekeepers.
The resolution urged the UN to move its Somalia political office from Kenya to the Horn of Africa. The council also said it will consider deploying UN peacekeepers "at an appropriate time" to replace AU troops now on the ground, subject to progress in improving political reconciliation and security conditions on the ground.
That will be difficult in a country that has not had a functioning government since clan-based warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. The warlords then turned on each other, sinking the poverty-stricken nation of seven million people into chaos.
Nonetheless, the resolution showed the council's determination to support UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's efforts to promote a political settlement and improved security in Somalia.
Political conditions are right
"For the first time, it's a signal that if the political conditions are right, if the security situation on the ground is right, this council will do something," SA's UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo said.
"It sends a signal to the Somali people that we've heard their cries. It sends a signal that this council is serious."
Britain's UN Ambassador John Sawers, the current council president, called the resolution "a step forward," saying it encourages the transfer of the UN political office from Nairobi to Somalia and backs UN-supported efforts to broaden the political base of the transitional government.
"The UN can't bring peace to Somalia overnight. It's a long, hard road to peace in a country that has not known effective government for 17 years," Sawers told reporters.
"Many things can go wrong, but the Security Council is backing those efforts, not just rhetorically, but in practical terms as well."
Human rights violations condemned
In the meantime, the resolution calls on all countries to provide money, personnel and equipment to fully deploy the AU force now on the ground in Somalia, known as AMISOM.
It is authorised to have 8 000 troops, but currently only has 2 600 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi.
On other issues, the council condemned all human rights violations in Somalia.
It called on states and regional organisations "to take action to protect shipping involved with the transportation and delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia and UN-authorised activities".
It asked Ban and AMISOM to support the effort, and reiterated the council's support for the contribution of some countries to protect the UN World Food Program maritime convoys.
- AP