Topic: 2025-Situation in Somalia
Country: India
Delegate Name: Madelyn Lower
Committee: United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Topic: Situation in Somalia
Country: India
Delegate: Madelyn Lower, New Prairie High School, New Carlisle, IN
The ongoing crisis in Somalia poses a significant threat to the security of the Indian Ocean region. Somalia continues to suffer lasting repercussions from centuries of colonization by Britain and Italy. Somalia was further exploited by both the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This led to an inevitable civil war, ending with the overthrow of a military dictatorship, which created a power vacuum that allowed the rise of extremist Islamic terrorist groups. India recognizes the complex nature of the crisis and how it must be handled in a multifaceted approach. Due to its troubled history, Somalia is facing wide scale corruption, famine, and political instability that jeopardizes the peace and stability of the Indian Ocean region.
As the most powerful country in the Indian Ocean Region, India must set an example for the rest of the world in addressing the root causes of these conflicts. India feels a kindred connection toward the nation of Somalia, as India too has suffered conflict at the hands of decolonization and external interference throughout our storied history as a nation. The Republic of India chose to focus on creating economic, political, and social stability for the betterment of its people. India has a deep sense of pride in our cultural diversity; we are home to more than 700 tribes that comprise 8.6% of our population. Similarly, Somalia is divided into 5 different clans. India empathizes with Somalia’s struggles in navigating complex internal divisions and maintaining sovereignty under duress. The ongoing climate disruption and political turmoil have led to extreme famine, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that has given rise to terrorism and piracy, posing a threat to international security. The conflict has forced millions of Somalis to seek refuge in neighboring nations.
In response to the crisis in Somalia, India proposes the following recommendations and solutions. India is committed to investing in infrastructure, which includes the construction of schools, food banks, and factories for the Somalian people. These initiatives can enhance education, provide job opportunities, and boost exports, thus generating a greater GDP and providing greater economic stability. Previous international initiatives have been focused on combating piracy rather than stopping it at the root of the problem: political and economic instability. By shifting our approach to not just providing aid but also investing in the Somali economy, we can not only limit terrorism and piracy but also foster stability in the country.
