Topic: Situation in Somalia
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Tracy Scherdt
School: Ann Arbor Community High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Argentina position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
In 1991, a civil war broke out in Somalia, causing a complete collapse in the nation's central government. In response, the United States, among other nations, launched Operation Restore Hope, led by the Unified Task Force (UNITAF). This operation was aimed at assisting Somalis during the catastrophe of a lost government and mounting violence. Operation Restore Hope was quickly followed by the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM I). This failed, and the second phase, UNOSOM II, lasted from 1993-1995. All operations above failed in reestablishing peace. Over the succeeding decade, many nations held national reconciliation conferences, which produced the establishment of the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia in August, 2004. Attention was then given to the effort of negotiating with opposition forces, which produced the Djibouti Agreement in 2008. This agreement was between the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) and the TFG, and was a fragile and unsuccessful negotiation because of conflict between Islamic militant groups. Still extremist groups gained footing. Currently, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) controls very little of the nation. Droughts, famine, and violence have forced the nation into a state of further collapse; however, assistance is difficult in Somalia's current condition and conflict.
Argentina sees the situation in Somalia as an urgent state of emergency. Argentina recognizes and sympathizes with the dire situation in Somalia. Argentina's “dirty war” between 1976 and 1983 left Argentina in a similar state of crisis and loss of human rights. In fact, the United Nations called upon Argentina to investigate it's “dirty war” and charge those responsible for human rights violations. Lessons learned from Argentina's past human rights violations can be applied to the situation in Somalia, as well.
Argentina has actively promoted international resolutions dealing with curbing impunity for abuses and other human rights issues. Argentina's resolutions and past history has shaped decisions in North Africa and the Middle East specifically. For the situation in Somalia, Argentina may be less involved because of lack of ability to fund troops or humanitarian aid. Argentina is a debtor nation to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) still following it's own economic crisis that ended in 2002.
Argentina has participated in United Nations peacekeeping for over half a century. One of Argentina's greatest peacekeeping efforts was during the mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH); however, Argentina has been participating in providing aid and commitment to peacekeeping efforts in many other missions and operations as well. The UN secretary-general made a statement last June commending Argentina for it's continuous efforts. So although Argentina has yet to take a lead on the issue of Somalian assistance, there is no doubt that Argentina is involved in peacekeeping efforts in some form or another.
Argentina's traditional allies include member states represented in the security council, including United States and France. Also, many Latin American countries are allied with Argentina. This taken into consideration, Argentina would back most of the security councils decisions on the matter of Somalia and how humanitarian aid will be distributed. The views of Latin America on the situation in Somalia influence Argentina as well.
Through Argentina's previous peacekeeping successes, it knows that the key to any operation is that member states come together and support one another. It is not valuable to have individual countries sending humanitarian aid, rather it will be more successful to have a united group of member states coming together and creating a humanitarian aid program that will work.
