fiogf49gjkf0d
by Abdikarim Gelle Bayr
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The United Nations Political Office of Somalia (UNPOS) and former Somali National Army Officers began recreating Somali soldiers for the new Somali National Army (SNA). This complex mission will take years to accomplish, yet it is expected to contribute greatly to the return of peace and normalcy to Somalia. The United Nations, the main sponsor of the effort, sees the project as an effective alternative to the expansion of international security forces to police the war-devastated country. Further, the United Nations expects that the SNA will aid in the multilateral struggle against terrorist activity in the region.
This is the first time in 19 years of Somali’s turbulent history that the country is recreating the state military following its total disintegration caused by corruption and then civil war. The process of rebuilding has always been influenced by the prevailing political and social conditions in the country. The current attempt is not going to be an exception. The profound social transformation of Somalia during almost two decades of a devastating war has drastically changed the traditional political and social landscape of Somalia. The rebuilding of a national army will have to be intertwined with the creation of a legitimate broad-based government, economic reconstruction, and the demobilization and reintegration process.
Rebuilding Somali’s national army is not only an essential element in stabilizing the war-torn country but also a contribution to the effectiveness of the US-UN-led international war on terrorism in East Africa. It is a highly cost-effective project, but also an expensive and lengthy endeavor. Its success is linked to three major variables: the emergence of a legitimate broad-based federal government based on functioning well-balanced State governments representatives, the availability of resources, and time.
A legitimate government will encourage the regional forces to dissolve their militias in the interest of creating a national army. Resources for the economic reconstruction of Somalia will provide favorable conditions for demobilization and reintegration of the combatants, and for building an effective military establishment. And, finally, the process will take time to reach fruition. Serious and continued US engagement, perseverance, and support is essential to build an effective national army in Somalia, one that will hold a monopoly on the legitimate use of force in support of empowering the federal-center of gravity and state governments and stabilizing the country.
Abdikarim Gelle Bayr-MSc & MA
[email protected]