Kevin Poirier

1
United Nations Involvement in Somalia

• Kevin Poirier

2
Civil War in Somolia

• First armed conflict and evidence of civil war
  began in 1988
• The first phase of the war stemmed from the
  insurrections against the repressive regime of
  Siad Barre
• This violent and chaotic situation evolved to a
  humanitarian crisis and to a state of anarchy
• In 1991, to try and prevent more ensuing
  violence,the northern area of Somolia declared
  itself independent as the Republic of Somaliland.
  

3
Continuation of the Crisis in Somalia

• Leading on into November of 1992, violence
  persisted with heavy fighting in the Somali
  capital of Mogadishu Consisted largely of
  violence between two factions, that of Mohamed
  Farah Aidid and Mohamed Mahdi (The interim
  President)
• The country as a whole was without any form of
  central government
• This fighting that followed influenced and
  sparked the creation of many clans and sub-clans
  that had no central control.

4
Crisis By the Numbers

• By 1992, almost 4.5 million people, more than
  half the total number in the country, were
  threatened with starvation, malnutrition, and
  related diseases
• Estimated 300,000 people, including many
  children, died
• Around 2 million people fled to neighboring
  countries
• All institutions of governance and at least 60
  percent of the countries basic infrastructure
  disintegrated

5
UN Involvement UNOSOM I

• On April 24, 1992, the Security Council adopter a
  resolution to establish UNOSOM I. This called
  for the immediate deployment of 50 unarmed but
  uniformed United Nations military observers.
• Conditions in Somalia continued to deteriorate
  and recognition of this deterioration was rising
• Secretary General stated, The desperate and
  complex situation in Somalia will require
  energetic and sustained efforts on the part of
  the international community to break the circle
  of violence and hunger.

6
Aims of the United Nations in the Area of Somalia

• The United Nations in Somalia was established in
  order to monitor the cease-fire in Mogadishu, the
  capital
• To provide protection and security for United
  Nations personnel
• Escort deliveries of humanitarian supplies from
  there to distribution centers in the city and its
  immediate environments
• Facilitate humanitarian aid to people trapped by
  civil war and famine.
• Help stop the conflict and reconstitute the basic
  institutions of a viable state

7
Strengthening of the UN in Somalia

• In April 1992, another resolution was created
  that approved four operational zones which would
  have about 750 military personnel in each unit
• Berbera, Bossasso, Mogadishu, KismayoFour
  regions
• September 8 called for an additional rise in
  troops therefore making the total number of
  forces at about 4,250.

8
100 Day Action Plan-Eight Main Objectives

• 1)Massive infusion of food aid
• 2)Aggressive expansion of supplementary feeding
• 3)Provision of basic health services and mass
  measles immunization
• 4)Urgent provision of clean water, sanitation and
  hygiene
• 5)Provision of shelter materials
• 6)Simultaneous delivery of seeds, tools and
  animal vaccines
• 7)Prevention of further refugee outflow
• 8)Institution building and rehabilitation of
  civil society

9
Transition to UNITAF and UNOSOM II

• In December of 1992, the Security Council adopted
  a resolution that welcomed the United States to
  help create a secure environment in Somalia.
• Provided military forces
• However, UNITAFs control only lasted a few
  months and by 1993, another transformation had
  occurred. UNOSOM II came into control.
• Although UNITAF to many was an aid, there was
  still no functioning government in the country

10
UNOSOM II

• Established a take over from the United Task
  Force
• The mandate of UNOSOM II was to secure continued
  relief efforts, and, more significantly, to
  restore peace and rebuild the Somali state and
  economy.
• Had a strength of 28,000 personnel from all
  around the world
• Main support was the United States after failed
  effort the first time.

11
An Abrupt End

• In 1994, after series of events that gave the
  idea that very little was progressing, the U.S.
  faced horrible news footage of dead U.S. troops
  being dragged through the streets.
• American public opinion turned against
  involvement in UNOSOM II and then president Bill
  Clinton decided to withdraw the U.S. forces.
• After this, other nations soon followed forcing
  the Security Council to set a deadline of March
  1995 for the mission.
• Various reconciliation talks were carried out as
  well as ceasefires and peace treaties among
  fighting factions, many leaders of these factions
  simply ignored these calls for peace
• Without any progress, UNOSOM was disbanded in
  March 1995