UN Security Council Resolution 1814 on Somalia – Comments

The UN SC resolution 1814 on Somalia, which paves the way for the establishment of a UN office in Mogadishu, is a positive development that astute Somali statesmen and patriotic and democratic political forces can use to their benefit in their struggle for Somalia’s pacification and reunification.

Acting President of the UN SC, the British Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sir John Sawers, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, specified that the resolution 1814 on Somalia (http://radio.un.org/detail/9634.html) "gives backing to the political process that has begun. It provides UN authority for the protection efforts off the coast of Somalia for humanitarian convoys and other ships operating under and in support of UN-authorized activity. And it's a further signal to the Somali people of our readiness to continue to steadily build up the UN's engagement in Somalia".

If we evoke all the nefarious developments that occurred since 1991 in the Horn of Africa country, we have good reason to believe that this resolution is truly a step towards bringing peace in Somalia. It would be critical that various Somali political forces manage to beneficially exploit the possibilities offered through this resolution.

In this article, we will publish the integral text of the resolution 1814 – which is a must for every English speaking Somali to read – and then extensively comment.

Resolution 1814 (2008)

(http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N08/343/79/PDF/N0834379.pdf?OpenElement)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5893rd meeting, on 15 May 2008

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 733 (1992), resolution 1356 (2001), resolution 1425 (2002), resolution 1725 (2006), resolution 1744 (2007), resolution 1772 (2007), resolution 1801 (2008) and resolution 1811 (2008), and the statements of its President, in particular those of 13 July 2006 (S/PRST/2006/31), 22 December 2006 (S/PRST/2006/59), 30 April 2007 (S/PRST/2007/13), 14 June 2007 (S/PRST/2007/19) and 19 December 2007 (S/PRST/2007/49),

Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,

Reiterating its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia through the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), stressing the importance of broad-based and representative institutions reached through a political process ultimately inclusive of all, as envisaged in the TFC, and reiterating its support for Somalia’s Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) to take this forward,

Reiterating the need for agreement on a comprehensive and lasting cessation of hostilities and a roadmap for the remainder of the transitional process, including free and democratic elections in 2009 as set out in the TFC,

Welcoming the continued efforts by Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein and his Cabinet, under the leadership of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed and supported by the Transitional Federal Parliament, to advance the political process and implement the transitional period, as required by the TFC, in particular the agreement to prepare a timetable for the Constitutional Process leading to a referendum in 2009, the presentation of the Reconciliation Strategy of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), engagement with clan and local leaders across the country, and efforts to implement the National Security and Stabilisation Plan and to improve public finance management including budgetary and fiscal processes, and supporting efforts to make further progress in all these areas,

Welcoming the commitment of all Somali parties that have agreed to engage in dialogue with each other with a view to establishing peace and security in Somalia, urging all Somali parties to honour these commitments and to resort to peaceful means only to resolve their disputes, further welcoming the supporting role of the United Nations, in particular the practical support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to help progress this dialogue, and supporting in this regard the start on 12 May 2008 of discussions between the parties in Djibouti,

Welcoming the Secretary-General’s report on Somalia of 14 March 2008 (S/2008/178), in particular its assessment that the political situation in Somalia currently provides a renewed opportunity for the international community to give practical support to domestic initiatives, including an increased presence of United Nations personnel and, subject to broad-based political and security agreements and conditions on the ground, the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation to succeed the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM),

Welcoming the Secretary-General’s support for a comprehensive United Nations strategic approach for peace and stability in Somalia, aligning and integrating political, security and programmatic efforts in a sequenced and mutually reinforcing way, and endorsing ongoing work by the United Nations to support the political process in Somalia and to determine options for re-locating United Nations staff to Somalia,

Commending the work of the SRSG, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, and of UNPOS, reaffirming its strong support for his work, in particular his leading role in coordinating international efforts, and requesting that all parties, as well as international organizations, the United Nations country team and Member States support and work in close coordination with him at all times,

Reaffirming its condemnation of all acts of, and incitement to, violence inside Somalia, expressing its concern at all acts intended to prevent or block a peaceful political process, and expressing its further concern at such acts and incitement continuing,

Underlining the importance of providing and maintaining stability and security throughout Somalia, and underscoring the importance of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of militia and ex-combatants in Somalia,

Emphasizing the contribution that AMISOM is making to lasting peace and stability in Somalia, welcoming in particular the continuing commitment of the Governments of Uganda and Burundi, regretting the recent loss of a Burundian soldier, condemning any hostility towards AMISOM, and urging all parties in Somalia and the region to support and cooperate with AMISOM,

Underlining that the full deployment of AMISOM will help facilitate the full withdrawal of other foreign forces from Somalia and help create the conditions for lasting peace and stability there,

Taking note of the letter dated 20 February 2008 from the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission to the Secretary-General, which was annexed to the Secretary-General’s report of 14 March 2008, and of the reply from the Secretary-General of 23 April 2008 (S/2008/309),

Emphasizing the continued contribution made to Somalia’s peace and security by the arms embargo imposed by resolution 733 (1992), as elaborated and amended by resolutions 1356 (2001), 1425 (2002), 1725 (2006), 1744 (2007) and 1772 (2007), and reiterating its demand that all Member States, in particular those in the region, comply fully with it,

Expressing deep concern at the human rights situation in Somalia, and taking note of the Resolution on Somalia adopted at the 7th Session of the Human Rights Council, and of the renewal by the Human Rights Council of the mandate for the Independent Expert on Somalia,

Expressing its serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia and the continuing difficulties for humanitarian organizations operating in Somalia, including humanitarian access and security for humanitarian personnel, and reaffirming the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence,

Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

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

1. Requests the Secretary-General to continue and intensify his efforts, working together with the international community, to promote an ongoing political process which is ultimately inclusive of all, including by assisting the TFIs in this regard and in delivering services to the Somali people;

2. Strongly supports the approach proposed by the Secretary-General’s report of 14 March 2008, welcomes his intention to provide an updated comprehensive, integrated United Nations Strategy for peace and stability in Somalia, aligning and integrating political, security and programmatic efforts in a sequenced and mutually reinforcing way, and to include an assessment of the capacity of UNPOS to implement the Strategy, and requests that he submit the updated version to the Security Council within 60 days from the adoption of this resolution;

3. Approves the Secretary-General’s proposal in his report of 14 March 2008 to establish a joint planning unit in the office of the SRSG to facilitate effective and efficient implementation of the integrated strategy;

4. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s recommendation, as set out in his report of 14 March 2008, to relocate UNPOS and the country team headquarters from Nairobi to Mogadishu or an interim location in Somalia in order to help deliver the comprehensive, integrated United Nations strategy in Somalia, and requests the Secretary-General to establish the necessary security arrangements for such a relocation, and to update the Security Council when he submits the Strategy referred to in paragraph 2 above;

5. Decides that UNPOS and the United Nations country team shall, in promoting a comprehensive and lasting settlement in Somalia and through the promotion of the ongoing political process, enhance their support to the TFIs with the aim of developing a constitution and holding a constitutional referendum and free and democratic elections in 2009, as required by the TFC, and facilitating coordination of the international community’s support to these efforts, and requests the Secretary-General within 60 days from the adoption of this resolution to report on progress with this work;

6. Recalls its intention to take measures against those who seek to prevent or block a peaceful political process, or those who threaten the TFIs or AMISOM by force, or take action that undermines stability in Somalia or the region, and therefore requests the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) (herein after "the Committee") to provide, within 60 days from the adoption of this resolution, recommendations on specific targeted measures to be imposed against such individuals or entities;

7. Recalls its intention to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia, states its intention to take measures against those who breach the arms embargo, and those who support them in doing so, and therefore requests the Committee to provide, within 60 days from the adoption of this resolution, recommendations on specific targeted measures to be imposed against such individuals or entities;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his contingency planning for the possible deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Somalia to succeed AMISOM, including of possible additional scenarios, in close contact with UNPOS, the United Nations country team and other United Nations stakeholders, taking account of all relevant conditions on the ground, and considering additional options for the size, configuration, responsibility and proposed area of operation of the mission depending on different conditions on the ground, requests the Secretary-General to update on progress in his planning in the report referred to in paragraph 5 above, and expresses its willingness to consider, at an appropriate time, a peacekeeping operation to take over from AMISOM, subject to progress in the political process and improvement in the security situation on the ground;

9. Welcomes the Secretary-General’s undertaking, as set out in his letter of 23 April 2008 to the Chairperson of the AU Commission, to provide additional United Nations technical advisers to the AU’s Strategic Plans and Management Unit in Addis Ababa, and encourages the Secretary-General to continue to explore with the AU Commission Chairperson, in coordination with donors, ways and means to strengthen United Nations logistical, political and technical support for the AU, to build the AU’s institutional capacity to carry out its commitments in addressing the challenges it faces in supporting AMISOM, and to assist AMISOM’s full deployment, to the extent possible and as appropriate, with the goal of achieving United Nations standards, and to update the Council in the report referred to in paragraph 5 above;

10. Reiterates its call upon Member States to provide financial resources, personnel, equipment and services for the full deployment of AMISOM and upon Member States of the African Union to contribute to AMISOM in order to facilitate the withdrawal of other foreign forces from Somalia and help create the conditions for lasting peace and stability there, urges those Member States which have offered to contribute to AMISOM to fulfil such commitments, recognizes that more needs to be done to harness increased support for AMISOM, and takes note of the Secretary-General’s proposals for harnessing such support, as set out in his letter of 23 April2008;

11. Reiterates its support for the contribution made by some States to protect the World Food Programme maritime convoys, calls upon States and regional organizations, in close coordination with each other and as notified in advance to the Secretary-General, and at the request of the TFG, to take action to protect shipping involved with the transportation and delivery of humanitarian aid to Somalia and United Nations-authorized activities, calls upon AMISOM troop-contributing countries, as appropriate, to provide support to this end, and requests the Secretary-General to provide his support to this effect;

12. Strongly supports and encourages the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia, recalls its resolution 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, calls on all parties and armed groups in Somalia to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of AMISOM, United Nations and humanitarian personnel, demands that all parties ensure timely, safe and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need, wherever they may be, and urges the countries in the region to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, including the timely, safe and unhindered passage of essential relief goods into Somalia by land or via air and sea ports;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to strengthen ongoing efforts for establishing a United Nations-led mechanism for bringing together and facilitating consultations between humanitarian organizations operating in Somalia, the TFG, donors and other relevant parties in order to help resolve issues of access, security and provision of humanitarian relief throughout Somalia, and further requests him to report on progress in the report referred to in paragraph 5 above;

14. Requests the Secretary-General to establish an effective capacity within UNPOS to monitor and enhance the protection of human rights in Somalia, and to ensure coordination, as appropriate, between UNPOS, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council Independent Expert, and further requests the Secretary-General to report on progress in achieving this in the report referred to in paragraph 5 above;

15. Supports the ongoing efforts of the United Nations, the African Union and interested Member States, in close cooperation with the TFG, to develop security sector institutions in Somalia, and requests the SRSG to enhance his coordination role in this area, aligning relevant United Nations programmes and Member States’ activities;

16. Condemns all and any violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, calls upon all parties in Somalia to respect fully their obligations in this regard, and calls for those responsible for such violations in Somalia to be brought to justice;

17. Reaffirms its previous resolutions 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, and 1674 (2006) and 1738 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and stresses the responsibility of all parties and armed groups in Somalia to take appropriate steps to protect the civilian population in the country, consistent with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, in particular by avoiding any indiscriminate attacks on populated areas;

18. Reaffirms its previous resolution 1612 (2005) on children and armed conflict and recalls the subsequent conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children in Armed Conflict pertaining to parties to the armed conflict in Somalia (S/AC.51/2007/14);

19. Recalls that, pursuant to Article 65 of the United Nations Charter, the Economic and Social Council may furnish information to the Security Council and shall assist the Security Council upon its request;

20. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Commentary

1. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed proved to be the principal beneficiary of the approach adopted by the UN Security Council. The wording "respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia" is a rebuff of secessionist gangs like those of Somaliland and Puntland, and a blatant rejection of Abyssinian plans for a permanent divisiveness of Somalia into conflicting and divisive tribal fiefs.

2. The reference to a "political process ultimately inclusive of all" certainly places the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia at the very center of the Somali political life. It is only normal that the international body deals with the unrepresentative TFG as it still is the only Somali institution to bear a sort of legitimacy. This approach should not create problems or deep feelings for the time being.

3. The perspective of "a roadmap for the remainder of the transitional process, including free and democratic elections in 2009 as set out in the TFC" is the terminus that ARS should set for themselves, and make possible for the elections to happen. Only then, ARS will be invested with due legitimacy and rise to a position of internationally recognized institution. It is clear that in today’s Somalia, TFG represents a marginal minority rather supported by over-westernized Somalis of the Diaspora in an effort to outmaneuver secessionists like the Somaliland and Puntland renegades and to thwart the rise of ARS.

Everything will be different with an elected ARS government that will certainly represent Somalia abroad and eliminate the Somaliland Stigma. Of course, the path until the elections will not be easy, and the Diaspora plutocrats will attempt to use it in order to practice extensive bribery policy and alter the vote procedure in a way to restrain ARS as much as they can. But this is the challenge of free democratic societies and ARS has all the means to cut these expectations short.

4. The fact that there is expressed support to "the agreement to prepare a timetable for the Constitutional Process leading to a referendum in 2009" is also positive and encouraging.

5. The reference to "the dialogue", and more particularly "the start on 12 May 2008 of discussions between the parties in Djibouti" is a direct international recognition of the importance and the weight of ARS in the national policy shaping in Somalia; it simply requires from ARS due statesmanship and respect of the rules and the norms of International Law.

The same reference only justifies the critical political decision of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to participate in the Djibouti discussions, demonstrating how erratic was the position against the participation.

6. The importance of the Djibouti discussions for the future of Somalia is also highlighted by the reference to a "renewed opportunity for the international community to give practical support to domestic initiatives, including an increased presence of United Nations personnel". This makes clear that the Djibouti discussions are precisely the type of development the world community expected to see in order to come to Somalia’s help.

This, viewed in combination with the remarkably underscored "respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia" lets us understand that the international community has closed – once more – the door to the face of the criminal gangster Riyale, the secessionist bogus-president whose days are numbered as the Djibouti discussions finally open a new chapter of peace and unity for Somalia’s future. "Broad-based political and security agreements" is a term referring – again – to ARS, and the discussions in which Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has been engaged.

7. The expression of "deep concern at the human rights situation in Somalia" should be rather viewed as a first direct warning to Abyssinia for the heinous, revengeful and inhuman attitude demonstrated in Mogadishu by the Neo-Nazi thugs of Africa’s most loathed dictator, the Racist Tyrant Meles Zenawi.

8. Even greater warning to the evil, criminal Abyssinian dictator is given through the expression of "serious concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in Somalia and the continuing difficulties for humanitarian organizations operating in Somalia"; in fact, the UN SC resolution – without denouncing Abyssinia by name – adopts the same approach as Amnesty International in its recent press releases about Somalia and the evil role played by Zenawi’s racist Tigray and Amhara thugs who shamefully impersonate the ‘soldiers’ of a "national army".

9. Among the 20 points mentioned in the second part of the resolution, point no 6 is particularly important as it reveals willingness to "take measures against those who seek to prevent or block a peaceful political process", which may look like a warning against the Shebab extremists, but in fact is a resolute rebuttal of the secessionist pseudo-states, Somaliland and Puntland.

10. It will be critical now for Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and ARS to deliver; the second round of Djibouti discussions must be successful. Through the entire text of the UN SC resolution, we detect an attitude of urgency; this may prove to be perfect for Somalia and its future. It’s an opportunity that must be seized.

There are two points to which Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and ARS should pay attention and insist, namely
a. the "intention to strengthen the effectiveness of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia", and

b. the "intention to take measures against those who breach the arms embargo".

It will be essential for ARS to coordinate with patriotic Somalis entrapped in the breakaway pseudo-states Somaliland and Puntland, and provide the UN with all necessary information pertaining to Abyssinian – Somaliland and Abyssinian – Puntland arms deals and transfers.

Not a single firearm must be allowed to be imported in these illegal realms, and not a single opportunity to denounce and unveil Abyssinia’s evilness must be missed. In brief, ARS can benefit greatly, suffice it they are determined to play according to the rules of the international game.

Useless to add it, the forthcoming "deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Somalia to succeed AMISOM" should start at the same time in Mogadishu, Hargeysa, Garowe and Badhan.

ARS must insist on the demand to implement the propitious UN SC Resolution 1814 completely, without exceptions, and with full "respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia".

Note
Picture: Sheikh Sharif Shekh Ahmed with Sheikh Hassan Sheikh Aden