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Somali peace talks stalled after fighting breaks out in Mogadishu

By Kalie Boyce

March 18, 2007

The ceasefire agreed upon on April 1 in Somalia between tribal leaders and Ethiopians seemed to indicate that diplomatic relations were possible and that fighting would indeed cease.  However, in spite of attempts to work toward peace, fighting continues and peace talks that were to begin last week have been postponed. This comes soon after the AU agreed to send peacekeeping troops to replace the Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia.  However, according to the BBC, only 1,200 Ugandan troops have arrived of the expected 8,000 African Union troops.[1]  This delay in troop deployment, coupled with increased violence in previously untargeted areas of Mogadishu has caused many to question the possibility of peace in this region without some stronger action being taken.

Late Tuesday night, fighting broke out in the capital, Mogadishu, leaving 7 dead and over 50 injured according to the BBC.[2]  This situation mirrors the violence that has been occurring throughout the country as constant fighting between Ethiopian troops and insurgents has continued despite the ceasefire agreed upon earlier this month. Violence outside of Mogadishu, in areas previously unaffected by the conflict, has caused many families and communities to flee their homes. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 100,000 people have fled Mogadishu since February.  47,000 of these refugees left after March 21st, and most have been forced to live in terrible conditions with little access to basic necessities.[3]  Their appalling living conditions raise health concerns as well as sustainability concerns for the region as neighboring countries have to deal with the huge influx of refugees.

To help with the growing violence and chaos in the region, the AU has already committed peacekeeping troops; however, this must not be the extent of the international community's involvement.  The recent fighting indicates that more must be done in order to stabilize the region and promote peace and justice for Somalis.  The international community must commit itself to supporting the financial, technical and political aspects of Somalia in order for continued peace and stability to be possible.  The peace talks between Ethiopia and Somali tribal leaders should be encouraged and actively supported by the UN and the AU in order to ensure that they take place in a timely and effective manner.  To this end, we urge the AU to continue sending peacekeeping troops to quell any dissension and rioting that may take place due to the peace talks.  More importantly, however, we urge the UN and the international community to take an active role in mediating the peace talks and providing financial, technical, and developmental assistance.  If the international community fails to do this, it will not have done its part in protecting Somalia's future peace.

The situation in Somalia is a humanitarian crisis symptomatic of a development crisis that has been festering for years.  While we do not discount its seriousness, any international action that focuses only on the current humanitarian crisis will not effectively address Somalia's deeper problems.  Thus, the IIJD calls on the international community to help establish sustainable peace between the Ethiopian and Somali tribes so that the refugees can move back to their homes, and rebuilding and restructuring efforts can begin to take place.  It is essential for the international community to become involved in quelling the violence and supporting the peace talks.  For true, long-term progress, however, the international community must mediate the peace talks and take an active role in laying the foundations for a young Somali democracy.  It is in this that the international community's true desire to help Somalia will be measured.