Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1993 13:08:38 +0200
From: Bernhard Helander <
[email protected]>
To:
[email protected]
Subject: Somalia News Update, No 17
In this issue:
* UN IN SOMALIA: BUDGET IN THE RED
* TOWARDS A REAL RADIO STATION?
* MOGADISHU: FOUR FEEDING CENTRES REOPENED
* HEAD OF SWEDISH CONTINGENT: "UN-SUCCESS IN SOMALIA"
* ITALIANS PROTECT GERMANS DURING EVENTLESS JOURNEY...
* CRICKETS INVADE THE NORTH
* NEW SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON SOMALIA
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S O M A L I A N E W S U P D A T E
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Vol 2, No 17 July 29, 1993. ISSN 1103-1999
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Somalia News Update is published irregularly via electronic mail and
fax. Questions can be directed to
[email protected] or to fax
number +46-18-151160. All SNU marked material is free to quote as
long as the source is clearly stated.
____________________________________________________________________
UN IN SOMALIA: BUDGET IN THE RED
(SNU, Uppsala, New York, Addis Ababa, July 29) The United Nations
Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) held a second informal consultation
with donors on 27 July in Nairob, according to a United Nations
spokesman. Representatives from 41 donors, 21 international
non-governmental organizations and 20 United Nations agencies were
attending the meeting.
Three working groups at the consultation addressed the following
issues: resources for the Somalia relief and rehabilitation
programme; roles and responsibilities of the partners involved in the
Somali mission; and planning for the future.
The issue of resources for the relief and rehabilitation
programme is outstanding. Under-secretary-general for humanitarian
affairs Jan Eliasson recently pointed out that the spending on
humanitarian and relief tasks in Somalia amounts to only a tenth of
that spent on the military operations. At the humanitarian conference
in Addis Ababa earlier this year it was stated that the UN agencies
had obtained a 130 million US dollars. Already at the time, some
critics maintained that the figure was a vast exaggeration and that
it comprised funds already spent or pledged. Recent figures from the
the UN's Special Emergency Programme for the Horn of Africa supports
that criticism. They show funding levels of UN agencies with
programmes launched in the UN's Relief and Rehabilitation Programme
in March. Figures are for contributions definitely received (not
pledged) as of June 10. All figures in US dollar.
AGENCY APPEALED RECEIVED
UNOSOM 29,649,200 973,420
UNDP 28,850,000 540,000
UNHCR 13,970,000 4,272,606
UNICEF 32,954,000 2,833,089
WFP 27,365,000 5,056,912
FAO 10,129,650 1,236,809
WHO 10,000,000 0
UNESCO 2,000,000 0
UNV 3,730,000 1,550,000
DHA 787,550 176,752
TOTAL 159,435,400 16,639,588
This shows an overall funding rate of 10.4%.
While this is dismal, the other countries in the Horn have done
little better with their emergency appeals for 1993:
Ethiopia 34.0%
Eritrea 17.4%
Kenya 31.0%
Sudan 27.5%
TOWARDS A REAL RADIO STATION?
(SNU, Uppsala, July 29) A constant problem in the relations between
the UNOSOM headquarters and some sections of the Somali population
has been the lack of a reliable channel for communicating intentions
and plans. With the recent hiring of the former head of BBC's African
Service, George Bennett, UNOSOM might eventually be able to do
something about their woeful radio station.
MOGADISHU: FOUR FEEDING CENTRES REOPENED
(SNU, Uppsala, July 26) More than 23 000 people in the Somali
capital, Mogadishu, received food on Saturday for the first time
since the killing of 24 Pakistani peacekeepers on June 5th. Forty
tons of food aid have been delivered to four feeding centres by the
international aid agency, Care International. The four centres were
closed following an ambush of the Pakistani peacekeepers by Somali
gunmen.
The UN military command refused to provide military escort for
the food centres because soldiers going there are easy targets for
ambush. About 22 of southern Mogadishu's feeding centres remained
open after the ambush of Pakistani troops.
HEAD OF SWEDISH CONTINGENT: "UN-SUCCESS IN SOMALIA"
(SNU, Uppsala, July 29) The head of the Swedish-staffed UN field
hospital in Mogadishu, Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Wilpart, in an
article in a leading Swedish daily (Dagens Nyheter, p. A4) today
provides an assessment of the recent months' of clashes between the
UN peacekeepers and gunmen loyal to Somali faction leader Mohamed
Farah Aidid.
Wilpart attacks the much publicized view that the humanitarian
ambition has been transformed into purely military goals and that
relief work has come to a halt. On the contrary, he argues, many
relief organizations have terminated their work, not because the
fighting has made it impossible but because they have completed their
tasks. Wilpart's view is supported by findings presented by a recent
Swedish mission who argued that the nutritional level among children
in Mogadishu was better than the average for a Third World country.
Wilpart goes on to describe his impression from a recent visit
to Baidoa, an inland town that a year ago was the focus for
international media reports and frequently called "the town of
death". "Now", writes Wilpart, "the area is calm as is most of the
Somali interior. UN-staff and aid-workers can move about freely
without risks and there is a general atmosphere of hope. The
population is busy with agricultural tasks and the harvest is
expected to be good". Wilpart mentions similar reports coming from
other zones that until recently were the location for intense
fighting.
Wilpart also describes the situation in Mogadishu: "I can see
how the streets have been cleaned up since February. I see the
street-commerce assuming a new character with more boots and shops
being opened holding a broadening assortment of merchandize. I see
restaurants being opened. I see admittedly primitive but still
functioning public transport being set up and I see people lining up
for taxis. I see people repairing their houses and local police-men
patrolling the streets. All this gives a totally different view than
that currently spread by the media".
Wilpart also discusses the repeated statement the criticism
against the UN in Somalia is growing. Quite contrary, he argues,
"there are also frequent demonstrations in favour of the UN. These
demonstrations are probably much less orchestrated (and subsidised)
than those critical of the UN. There are leaflets against Aidiid
being spread and different political leaders, even within Aidiid's
movement, speak of UN as helpers, not as enemies, and encourage
people to support the UN".
Wilpart potrays the popular support for Aidiid as diminishing.
"The Somali people wants to get rid of Mohamed Farah Aidiid". He is
supported, Wilbert claims, by less than five per cent of the total
population and "the core of his armed militia is not larger than 500
men. Using propaganda and money his sphere of supporters can
ocassionally be enlarged for demonstrations and stone-throwing. To a
large extent it is children and youngsters that are used for such
purposes".
Even though the current fighting to a large extent is the last
battle for Aidiid he might be able to prolong his presence in Somalia
by relying on terrorist methods and guerilla-warfare. Wilpart also
points to the danger that Aidiid continues to amass support for his
own cause by biased media reports in his favour. Wilpart warns that a
tactic Aidiid is likely to use is to attempt to create a split
between various parts of the UN-contingent.
ITALIANS PROTECT GERMANS DURING EVENTLESS JOURNEY...
(SNU, Radio France Internationale, July 25) The German contingent
forming part of the UN forces in Somalia is expected to arrive later
today in the northwest Somali town of Beled Weyn. Earlier today they
passed without incident through a region controlled by supporters of
warlord Mohamed Aidid.
The German contingent is being protected by Italian ground
forces and helicopters of the United States' rapid intervention
force. The German troops are only allowed to respond to attacks in
case of legitimate self-defence compared to the other 26 national
contingents which are allowed to use force as part of their
peacekeeping role.
Germany's Defence Minister, Volke Ruhe, is already in the town
to welcome the contingent when it arrives later this
evening.
CRICKETS INVADE THE NORTH
(SNU, Uppsala, July 26) The United Nations in Somalia has announced
an invasion of crickets, they suspect in areas in the north of the
country. The reports says the insects have already destroyed tens of
thousands of hectares of crops.
NEW SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON SOMALIA
(SNU, Addis Ababa, July 28) This text was unanimously adopted on 6
June 1993 as Resolution 837 (1993).
The Security Council,
Reaffirming its resolutions 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992, 746
(1992) of 17 March 1992, 751 (1992) of 24 April 1992, 767 (1992) of
27 July 1992, 775 (1992) of 28 August 1992, 794 (1992) of 3
December 1992 and 814 (1993) of 26 March 1993,
Bearing in mind General Assembly Resolution 447/167 of 18
December 1992,
Gravely alarmed at the premeditated armed attacks launched by
forces apparently belonging to the United Somali Congress (USC/SNA)
against the personnel of the United Nations Operation in Somalia
(UNOSOM II) on 5 June 1993,
Strongly condemning such actions, which directly undermine
international efforts aimed at the restoration of peace and
normalcy in Somalia,
Expressing outrage at the loss of life as a result of these
criminal attacks,
Reaffirming its commitment to assist the people of Somalia in
re-establishing conditions of normal life,
Stressing that the international community is involved in
Somalia in order to help the people of Somalia who have suffered
untold miseries due to years of civil strife in that country,
Acknowledging the fundamental importance of completing the
comprehensive and effective programme for disarming all Somali
parties, including movements and factions,
Convinced that the restoration of a law and order throughout
Somalia would contribute to humanitarian relief operations,
reconciliation and political settlement, as well as to the
rehabilitation of Somalia's political institutions and economy,
Condemning strongly the use of radio broadcasts, in particular
by the USC/SNA, to incite attacks against United Nations personnel,
Recalling the statement made by its president on 31 March 1993
(S/25493) concerning the safety of United Nations forces and
personnel deployed in conditions of strife and committed to
consider promptly measures appropriate to the particular
circumstances to ensure that persons responsible for attacks and
other acts of violence against United Nations forces and personnel
are held to account for their actions,
Taking note of the information provided to the Council by the
Secretary-General on 6 June 1993,
Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to
threaten peace and security in the region,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
1. Strongly condemns the unprovoked armed attacks against the
personnel of UNOSOM II on 5 June 1993, which appear to have been
part of a calculated and premeditated series of cease-fire
violations to prevent by intimidation UNOSOM II from carrying out
its mandate as provided for in resolution 814 (1993).
2. Expresses its condolences to the government and people of
Pakistan and the families of the UNOSOM II personnel who have lost
their lives.
3. Re-emphasizes the crucial importance of the early
implementation of the disarmament of all Somali parties, including
movements and factions, in accordance with paragraphs 56-69 of the
report of the Secretary-General of 3 March 1993, and of
neutralizing radio broadcasting systems that contribute to the
violence and attacks directed against UNOSOM II.
4. Demands once again that all Somali parties, including
movements and factions, comply fully with the commitments they have
undertaken in the agreements they concluded at the informal
preparatory meeting on Somali political reconciliation in Addis
Ababa, and in particular with their agreement on implementing the
cease-fire and on modalities of disarmament (S/25168, Annex III).
5. Reaffirms that the Secretary-General is authorized under
Resolution 814 (1993) to take all necessary measures against all
those responsible for the armed attacks referred to in paragraph 1
above, including against those responsible for publicly inciting
such attacks, to establish the effective authority of UNOSOM II
throughout Somalia, including to secure the investigation of their
actions and their arrest and detention for prosecution, trial and
punishment.
6. Requests the Secretary-General urgently to enquire into
the incident, with particular emphasis on the role of those
factional leaders involved.
7. Encourages the rapid and accelerated deployment of all
UNOSOM II contingents to meet the full requirements of 28,000 men
all ranks, as well as equipment, as indicated in the Secretary-
General's report (S/25354).
8. Urges member states to contribute, on an emergency basis,
military support and transportation, including armoured personnel
carriers, tanks and attack helicopters, to provide UNOSOM II the
capability appropriately to confront and deter armed attacks
directed against it in the accomplishment of its mandate.
9. Further requests the Secretary-General to submit a report
to the Council on the implementation of the present resolution, if
possible within seven days from the date of its adoption.
10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
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SNU is an entirely independent newsletter devoted to critical
analysis of the political and humanitarian developments in Somalia
and Somaliland.
