Topic: Situation in Somalia
Country: Finland
Delegate Name: Lydia Smyth
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Finland position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Somalia is widely known one of the poorest countries in the world; not only is their transitional government weak and unstable, but violence, famine, and disease is also constant in the country. Although the United Nations has attempted to aide those starving and attempted to create a central government to stabilize the country, Finland believes more action should be taken to stop the chaos in Somalia from increasing. Not only is the situation in Somalia affecting the citizens of the state, but also the country’s neighbors who are being attacked by the Shabab and receiving many refugees. European countries, such as Finland, have been open to receiving those who seek asylum, but the great numbers of people have overwhelmed the nations and have caused problems for the countries kind enough to invite foreigners in. Piracy has also become an issue, as Somalis attack foreign ships for a ransom of millions of United States dollars.
What the United Nations needs to consider is what problems can reasonably be solved to push Somalia towards creating a better nation. Countries have sent food over in the past, but, since the Shabab frequently confiscated it for their own use, it not helping the starving people it was intended for. The United States has sent troops to ensure food gets to the people in need before, but it was an effort that cost multiple billions of dollars and took 25,000 troops. Finland believes more centers should be set up by the United Nations to hand out individual portions of food to decrease pilfering. Disease can be prevented by working alongside Non-Governmental organizations to send mosquito nets and chlorine tablets to the country. The United Nations should work with Somalia’s current leaders to set up a strong central government that the people will be satisfied with. A Somali army should be raised to work alongside foreign troops to protect the government. All of the Shabab who attempt to destroy order in the country should be dealt with immediately and directly to show the strength of the new government. After Somalia has gained relative stability, the United Nations should withdraw to ensure Somalia keeps supremacy of its own country. The United Nations should not have much trouble encouraging other nations to participate; many African countries are being attacked by the Shabab as well, and countries worldwide are receiving thousands of refugees into their country. Creating a stable Somalia can help everyone that is being affected by the chaos now. Until the country is stabilized, more countries should accept refugees so not to burden those who already have numerous amounts of Somalis. Piracy needs to be examined by the root of the problem. Poachers infest the Somali waters and corporations dump toxic waste in the water, leaving starved and poor communities. Somali people living on the coast do not have business in fishing as they used to, so they turn to piracy. To stop piracy, poaching must have a more severe punishment, dumping waste on the Somali coast needs to be prohibited, and the communities need to be provided with jobs. The United Nations can help at first, but with a stable government, much of this will be solved more easily.
This committee should produce a resolution regarding specific actions needed to combat Somalia’s health problems, the weak government, and the ways Somalia’s problems have been affecting the rest of the world through piracy and refugees.
