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UN Approves Sending Peacekeeping Mission To Somalia
UPI UN Correspondent United Nations (UPI) Feb 21, 2007 The U.N. Security Council has given its approval to the African Union to establish a peacekeeping mission in Somalia for six months while simultaneously asking for a report on the possibility of a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country after deployment of AU forces. To that end the resolution passed unanimously Tuesday asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to send a technical assessment mission to the Horn of Africa. The measure determined the situation in Somalia "continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region," and was put under the U.N. Charter's Chapter VII, allowing the AU to take all measures necessary and appropriate to carry out the mandate. Britain's Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said for the first time in 15 years, the people of Somalia now have the prospect of being led by a representative government and an opportunity to begin the process of national reconciliation. The international community had the duty to turn the opportunity into reality by supporting elements of the text of the adopted resolution, as well as the AU's efforts. Still, he added, it was but one small step towards reconciliation, peace and security in a country that had known little but conflict and insecurity for so long. He said the Somali people have to work together to ensure their transitional institutions serve their interests and are indeed representative. Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere of France echoed London's envoy in saying the international community could not impose peace in Somalia. It was up to the Somalis to seize the unique opportunity the AU was offering them and expressed hope they will be able to seize it, because the future of Somalia was in their hands. South Africa's representative, Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo said he hoped adoption of the resolution demonstrated to the people of Somalia that the international community cared about their situation. It was a start, he said, hoping that, in the coming months, the international community, through the council, would move to support reconstruction in the country. He added the upcoming dialogue between the transitional institutions and other Somali parties would be critical to long-term peace in that country. The resolution was designed to support dialogue and national reconciliation by assisting with the free movement, safe passage and protection of all those involved in a reconciliation congress involving all stakeholders, including political leaders, clan leaders, religious leaders and representatives of civil society. The council welcomed the Transitional Federal Institutions and President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed dialogue initiative. It also requested the secretary-general to assist the congress in promoting an ongoing all-inclusive political process, working together with the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development. The resolution takes responsibility for Somalia assistance from IGAD and hands it to AMISON, Ban was asked to report on the TFIs progress within two months. Other elements of the mandate include protection for the transitional institutions and security for key infrastructure, assistance with implementation of the National Security and Stabilization Plan, contribution to the creation of necessary security conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance and protection of humanitarian personnel and facilities. The resolution lifts, in part, the 1992 embargo on weapons and supplies allowing arming of the African Union Mission in Somalia, to be known by the acronym AMISOM. However, the resolution also spoke of the contribution made to the nation's relative peace and security by the arms embargo. The panel of 15 demanded all nations, in particular those of the region, fully comply with the embargo and reiterated its intention to consider ways to strengthen its effectiveness, including through targeted measures. It also decided in the same resolution a protection and training mission in Somalia, established by IGAD and AU members last year should be terminated.
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Tough Test For Liberia
Washington (UPI) Feb 20, 2007Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf returned from Washington scoring an international victory over her male African counterparts. Her week-long visit saw her achieve objectives aimed at improving Liberia's current state of affairs. At a time when corruption continues to increase in most of Africa, the Johnson-Sirleaf administration has exceeded the expectations of her well-wishers and the criticisms of her opponents by working hard at reducing her country's huge international debts. |
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