Topic: Situation in Somalia
Country: Syria
Delegate Name: Matt Gebhardt
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Syria position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The current ongoing chaos taking place in Somalia – famine, piracy, refugee crisis, (etc.) – has disturbed the world. The Somalia famine affects roughly 3.7 million people causing mass displacement. The issue of piracy has practically become institutionalized in the hotspots of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean as a whole. The refugee crisis currently includes approximately 895,000 refugees who are seeking protection in neighboring countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Djibouti. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been established due to the efforts of Ethiopia and thankfully in 2009, the TFG ratified the implementation of Islamic Law or Sharia Law. However, the TFG has not nearly established itself as Somalia’s central authority since it only has control over a small portion of the country. Another issue is terrorist group al-Shabaab, who has stationed itself in Mogadishu. Since the TFG has been established, al-Shabaab has increased significantly and has spread all over southern Somalia because the terrorist group wishes to establish their own authority. Without control from a central authority which practices safe but strict Islamic Law, like the TFG, Somalia will continue to have tribulations such as, famine, piracy, and the refugee crisis.
The nation of Syria would like to announce to the members of the United Nations that countries should contribute more financial aid to the TFG based on a small percentage of that country’s GDP. This will help stabilize the TFG; however, it won’t be enough due to al-Shabaab’s efforts. Thus, if a ceasefire isn’t drawn up, countries must agree to send in military action. This military would consist of UN peacekeepers or troops from nations who want to be involved. Although we, the nation of Syria, have our hands tied up at the moment with a disloyal uprising taking place, thus Syria’s military will not be involved.
Nations along with Syria whom support this position would be Arab states that advocate Islamic Law, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, (etc.). Also, the refugee countries – Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Djibouti – would support this position to seek peace in the region. In addition, the piracy that takes place in the Gulf of Aden disrupts the main channel of transportation of oil in the world; thus, any country that is desperately in need of oil likely wishes to establish a peaceful and stabilized central authority in Somalia. Hopefully these nations will support with financial aid and if possible provide military action.
Nations against this position would likely be Israel and the United States because they like to impede Syria’s efforts. Also, these nations are probably too selfish to actually help other nations without something in return.
