UN Resolution 2093 endorses state building mission for Somalia
Mohamud Uluso
2013-03-13, Issue <
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/621> 621
<
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86577>
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86577
The UN Security Council Resolution 2093 adopted in Somalia on 6 March 2013
is critically examined for its achievements, opportunities and the
challenges that remain for nation building to gain permanence in the country
The Resolution 2093 adopted by the UN Security Council on 6 March 2013
endorses the long overdue partnership mission between the Federal Government
of Somalia and the International Community for the peace building and state
building of Somalia. The mission is ambitious, complex and treacherous but
the right one.
The significance of the Resolution is historic for several reasons. First,
it ends the more than two decades the international community has been
avoiding the responsibility of addressing the statelessness of Somalia in
difference to other failed African states. Second, it reaffirms the
commitment of the US government towards the peace building and state
building for Somalia. Third, it merges the conflicting strategies pursued by
the individual or group members of the international community for their
self interests. Fourth, it moves Somalia from the regional level management
and supervision to UN level partnership.
FURTHER FOCI OF THE RESOLUTION
The Resolution addresses five issues, namely the African Union forces in
Somalia (AMISOM), the human rights and protection of civilians, the lifting
of the arms embargo imposed on Somalia from 1992, the role of the United
Nations in Somalia, and the violations of the ban on the charcoal export.
The Resolution renews the deployment of the AMISOM forces until 6 March 2014
with the full support of the international community. AMISOM forces are
ordered to carry out their tasks in full support of the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia. They are
also subject to accountability, transparency and criminal prosecution for
any human rights violations.
The Resolution dissolves the United Nations Political Office for Somalia
(UNPOS) and establishes a United Nations Mission headquartered in Mogadishu
with the responsibilities of supporting among others the Somali ownership of
the peace building and state building agenda and the efforts of the Federal
Government to manage and coordinate the international assistance,
particularly on security sector reform. The US Permanent Representative to
the UN, Ambassador Susan E. Rice stated that the Resolution answers
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed's call for 'one door to knock on.'
The Resolution demands the protection of civilians, with particular emphasis
on women, children and journalists. It also requires the Federal Government
to implement all signed action plans to end the use of child soldiers,
increase women's participation in decision making bodies, enforce the
prohibition of forced displacement of civilians in any part of the country,
and to afford justice to all victims.
The Resolution makes clear that the lifting of the arms embargo on the
Federal Government of Somalia is in recognition of its responsibility to
protect its citizens. In support, the international community is urged to
provide increased and coordinated timely support to the Federal Government
so that it can implement the internationally approved Somali National
Security Sector Reform Plan (SNSSRP). According to some reports, six Somali
military brigades of roughly 11,000 forces have been trained under the
European training program conducted in Uganda or under programs offered by
Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan, Italy and other countries. These forces
need command and control centers, buildings, training, uniforms, modern
arms, regular salaries and other compensations like the members of the
Federal Parliament for carrying out their national duties and facilitating
the departure of foreign forces from Somalia before 6 March 2014.
The arms embargo remains on all non-state actors and forces not under the
Federal Government's jurisdiction and control. The UN Security Council is
satisfied with the Federal Government's commitment to peace, stability and
reconciliation across Somalia including at the regional level.
The Resolution expresses the UN Security Council's concern about the
continuous violations of the Somali and United Nations ban on charcoal
exports. Thus, the Resolution orders the full cooperation with the Task
Force appointed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed. The Council awaits the
recommendations of the Federal Government of Somalia based on the findings
of the Task Force for resolving the charcoal issue.
There are many serious challenges and obstacles which could interfere with
the realization of the peace building and state building mission endorsed by
the international community. Some of the principal challenges are coming
from the international community itself.
The commentary of Cedric de Coning titled, 'Understanding Peace building as
Essentially Local,' documents the dilemma facing the Federal Government in
dealing with the powerful international partners and explains how 'each
international partner acting independently and rationally according to its
own self-interest contributes to undermining the resilience of the local
government the partner want to support.' It has been reported that most of
the energy and time of the Federal Government is spent to service the needs
of the international community rather than the needs of the Somali people.
Another obstacle is the lack of significant international financial support
tailored to the urgent priorities assigned to the Federal Government daily,
monthly and yearly. The unprecedented support of the international community
has yet to transform into financial contributions for implementing the
interdependent components of the state building mission.
The political and military involvement of Kenya and Ethiopia in Somalia
under IGAD panel has so far created complications and discord. A relation of
cooperation conducted and maintained at national levels is critical for
Somalia's long term stability.
OBSTACLES TO THE STATE BUILDING MISSION
The limited financial and human resources capacity of the Federal Government
to produce a quick and comprehensive strategic political, economic,
institutional and security plans that responds to the dynamics, templates
and preferences of each member of the international community constitutes a
great obstacle. This limitation has been exacerbated by the small number of
Cabinet Ministers with huge responsibilities but with quasi no qualified
staff and job descriptions. There is also a persistent rumor that the
Federal Government is under the tight control of few individuals of
religious affinity with an obscure agenda. Not dispelling this kind of
rumor, it could compound with other recycled accusations peddled by the
elements who chose the President and the Prime Minister as target of their
political attack.
Another challenge is the tension between the tribalist/satellite enclave
federalists and nationalist federalists. While there is No Federal Member
State as of today in accordance with the Provisional Constitution, there are
continuous accusations for constitutional violations labeled against the
Federal Government in not consulting with a Federal Member State. The fact
remains that the source of legitimacy of the Federal Government belongs to
the legalized common consensus 4.5 clan formula of political power sharing
until such a time the alternative one man one vote electoral system
envisaged in the provisional constitution is implemented.
The disagreement between Puntland and the Federal Government has nothing to
do with decentralized or centralized federalism or with Puntland being
member or part of the Federal Government. It is just a political
brinkmanship. The communities in Puntland as other communities are
associated with the Federal Government through their members of the Federal
Parliament but the Puntland State Entity as Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama and GalMudug
State Entities is not part or member of the Federal Government.
The secession claim of the Northern Regions of Somalia (Somaliland) is
another source of challenge that needs to be addressed. State building of
Somalia should not be held hostage to the disastrous past political power
abuses which deserve investigation and determination of culpability,
punishment and compensation.
The UN Resolution 2093 offers great opportunity to the people of Somalia.
The Federal Government must tackle the reconciliation among Somalis with an
honest, serious and substantive political dialogue , policies and actions
with the aim of achieving the shared goal of one nation one people.
In his unique constitutional responsibility, the President of the Federal
Government in collaboration with other leaders must strive to secure the
unity, social harmony, political integration, national defense and respect
of the rule of law throughout the country. The value of citizenship, which
grows with patriotism, freedom, equality, justice, sense of altruism and
respect of the Islamic values, must be instilled in the conscience of all
Somalis for better future.
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Received on Fri Mar 15 2013 - 12:52:40 EDT
