Topic: Situation in Somalia
Country: France
Delegate Name: Collin Mathias
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All France position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
Somalia was thrust into civil war in 1991. As a response, the United Nations deployed United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) I and II from 1992 to 1995. However, both operations failed to reestablish lasting peace. Only through the regional support of the Horn of Africa, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was established in August 2004. It was supported by Ethiopia for two years, until its defeat by the Islamic Tribunals. In January 2007, the TFG was able to establish itself in the capital, Mogadishu. The next month, Security Council Resolution 1744 established the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISON). Negotiations were able to assume for the first time in 2007, which resulted in the Djibouti Agreement. However, despite invitations for peaceful negotiations, conflict among Islamist militant groups in the southern portion of the country have made attempts impossible. In addition to the civil war, famine has been declared throughout Somalia as millions face death. This, combined with the conflict, have made assistance difficult.
France has always been invested in Africa. Throughout the continent, we have constantly assisted many nations' development. Since the Civil War in Somalia began, it has been France that has fought for many resolutions in the Security Council to ensure improvement. Even outside of the United Nations, it has been France's training that has prepared the AMISON soldiers. Without the support of France, thousands of those soldiers would have gone untrained. Continuing now, France has pledged 30 million euros to various non-government organizations (NGOs) to send aid this past summer. Then, to protect all aid dedicated to Somalia, it was France that organized Operation Alcyon, which has made it possible to secure all aid to a country in which 70% of the population is dependent on humanitarian aid.
Independently, some countries send humanitarian aid. Independently, some countries assist in training troops. Independently, some countries believe that the United Nations has no place in Somalia. However, France knows that the word "independently" must be removed. It is time for a much more united front assisting Somalia. Only through multilateral agreements can safety be restored.
France desires that its fellow European Union nations assist with training troops for the AMISON, as has been done before. France looks for the African Union countries to help sponsor reconstruction efforts through humanitarian aid and NGOs. France hopes that all countries in the United Nations see that only by working together can Somalia be saved from the terror its people face daily.
