Topic: Situation in Somalia
Country: Iraq
Delegate Name: Merrick Perpich
School: Ann Arbor Community High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iraq position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
After Somalia’s government was overthrown in 1991, civil war broke out. To combat this, the United Nations executed the United Nations Operation in Somalia I & II in 1992 and 1995, but both failed. With the support of other countries, notably Ethiopia, the Transitional Federal Government was established in 2004. This government was defeated after two years of power, and reestablished itself in 2007, in the capital city, Mogadishu. After continuous negotiation, peace still seems elusive due to extremist militant groups in the south. Famine and civil war still plague Somalia today.
Iraq was in a similar situation roughly a decade ago, and it took its toll. There are still reconstruction programs in Iraq, such as the “Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund,” and still struggling ourselves. At this point in time, it does not look like Iraq could do any independent programs to aid the situation in Somalia. We must be able to deal with ourselves before we can provide our own aid.
While Iraq may be in no position at this time to lead a charge on making a change, it does not mean we are not in support of aiding the situation in Somalia. With shared past experiences, Iraq sympathizes deeply. We may not have the resources and structure to do something on our own, however we would be glad to give whatever support we can to create a more stable and peaceful Somalia.
