An opinion: Somalia: The Need for International Action
2nd February 2010
Civilians Killed in Somalia Clashes, Al-Shabab Attacks Peacekeeping Hospital in Somalia, UK Students recruited for Somali Jihad, China to aid Anti-Piracy Force, EU Troops to Train Somali Forces – these are just some of the stories featuring Somalia which have made the international headlines during the past week. Of these, the latter two, and particular the last one, stand out as highlighting a recognition that Somalia’s fragile government is in dire need of assistance from the international community.
Indeed, the news that the EU would be sending about 200 EU troops to train Somali forces in Uganda, was followed a couple of days later by China announcing that it would also be joining the international naval force fighting piracy off the Somali coast. Less than two weeks ago, precisely on the 16th January, the Wall Street Journal published an interview with President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, where he called upon the international community to provide Somalia with increased support and assistance.
Whilst the crisis in Somalia has, to some extent, been largely ignored by the international community, the increase in maritime piracy over the last couple of years, coupled with concerns about terrorism and particularly Al Shabaab’s alleged terrorist links to Al Qaeda, have served to turn the international spotlight on Somalia. In a briefing to the UN Security Council given on the 14th of January, Mr. Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative to the Secretary General, asserted that the crisis in Somalia was no longer local or regional, but had in fact become a ‘global crisis’.
Currently, the Somali government controls only parts of the capital, Mogadishu, with the rest of the country falling under the control of Al Shabaab and other Islamist militant groups. Apart from fostering an environment where piracy prospers, this has also resulted in Somalia becoming a safe haven for Islamist militants, who are using Somalia not only as a training ground and recruitment pool, but also, it is feared, to plan future attacks. The implications of this for the international community hardly need underlining.
Maritime piracy has been increasing over the last few years, with attacks off the coast of Somalia accounting for around half of all maritime piracy around the world. Notwithstanding the patrolling of the Gulf of Aden by international naval forces, piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a major concern, but one which I believe cannot be dealt with effectively unless the situation on land in Somalia is tackled. Only when the situation on land is more stable, can an environment conducive to solving the piracy problem become possible. Indeed, a publication by the Council on Foreign Relations, titled Combating Maritime Piracy, claims that piracy stopped completely in 2006 when Somalia was under the control of the Islamic Courts Union.
Yet, Somalia has neither the control nor the resources to do this on its own. Its weak government and lack of effective control mean that its counterinsurgency efforts cannot be effectively funded through taxes. Furthermore, its security and police forces lack training and are underpaid. This is why the EU’s move to train Somali forces, following on from Italy’s pledge to fund key Somali ministries and train police units, and France’s decision to train Somali forces last year, is so important. Furthermore, pledges to provide the AU peace-keeping mission with financial support must be upheld. Strengthening Somalia’s security forces, through the provision of both training and funding, is essential if they are going to be in any way effective in tackling Somalia’s insurgents. Eliminating the threat posed by the insurgents is not only in Somalia’s best interests, but keeping in mind Al Shahaab’s links to Al Qaeda, the best interests of the international community. Furthermore, it is only by eliminating the insurgents’ threat, and creating a more stable and secure state, that piracy off the Somali coast stands a chance of being eradicated.