By Mutinda Mwanzia
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula has expressed concern over the situation in Somalia saying it has remained a source of collective shame to the International Community. He said the conflict in Somalia is a source of great insecurity and instability in East Africa and the Horn of Africa in general.
"The security situation is dire as armed groups operate at will and have overrun the whole country," said Wetangula.
He said for the last 20 years, there has been no functioning government in Somalia despite several initiatives to stabilise the country.
Wetangula made the remarks on Friday when he spoke at the United Nations Security Council in New York during the debate on the situation in Somalia.
"The most significant initiative was spearheaded by IGAD, with support from the AU, in which negotiations were conducted in Kenya leading to the signing of the Transitional Federal Government charter in 2004. The Charter provides for transitional federal institutions including the government and the transitional federal parliament," said Wetangula.
Wetangula said the sunset phase of the transitional federal charter comes to an end in August 2011, and yet little of what was envisaged in the charter has so far been achieved.
"Instead, what is apparent is heightened fighting, lack of an effective central government and increase in incidences of terrorism, criminality and acts of piracy," said Wetangula.
He added extremism has taken root in Somalia in recent years saying Al-Shabaab has virtually overrun the government and without the support of African forces, the TFG could have been overthrown a long time ago.
Wetangula said the insecurity in Somalia is now overflowing to neighbouring countries adding the recent terrorist attacks in Kampala in which many lives were lost is a stark example of the threat posed by the extremist elements.
"Intelligence sources have shown that Al-Shabaab, which was behind the terrorist attack, used collaborators from within the region. Among those who have been apprehended for the heinous attack are young Somali men and others of Somali descent living in neighbouring countries, including Kenya," said Wetangula.
Wetangula said it was evident that Al-Shabab and other terrorist groups are intent on spreading their extremist ideology to neighbouring countries.
"This is a major concern for Kenya and her neighbours as Al-Shabaab has threatened attacks on Nairobi, Bujumbura and Addis Ababa," said Wetangula.
He said in the face of sustained insurgency against the TFG there was need for urgent support and assistance to build the capacity of the government security forces.
"There should be urgent and robust response by International Community led by the UN Security Council to arrest the escalating danger facing Somalia and the sub-region," said Wetangula.
He said the Security Council should deploy more troops the region adding a number of 20,000 to 22,000 troops deployed across Somalia would be ideal.
"The raising of troops is not the major obstacle in Somalia. Countries in the region have been training Somalia Security forces that can support the stabilization efforts in Somalia," said Wetangula.
He said lack of fulfillment of the UN member countries’ commitments, coupled with an uncoordinated approach to Somalia are the major obstacles to tackling the situation in Somalia.
"In the worst case scenario, if the TFG were to collapse, the Al-Shabaab has vowed to pursue an agenda that revolves around causing chaos in the region. This explains the apprehension in the region about the spread of extremism and intolerance in the Horn of Africa and why Somalia must not be allowed to fail," said Wetangula.
He said IGAD had recommended targeted sanctions and a blockade of the port of Kismayu and airports in the hands of insurgents and the AU endorsed the recommendations.
Wetangula added the UN has made some effort in this regard by imposing sanctions on Eritrea, a principle collaborator of Al-Shabaab.
"These measures need to be sustained and enhanced against all spoilers of the Somali peace process," said Wetangula.
Source: Standard