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Somalia: Situation Increasingly Unstable

Increasing violence and clashes between Islamist insurgents and government troops in Somalia bring the country to the brink of humanitarian crisis. Over 100 people are dead and more than 120 wounded in recent fighting, adding to a year of constant instability, anarchy and unrest. Coupled with a devastating drought and an alarming rise in malnutrition, Somalia's plight worsens and necessitates urgent intervention from the international community.

As Ethiopian and Somali troops continue to battle Islamist fighters in Mogadishu this week, it is estimated by human rights groups that 100 people have died and over 120 people have been wounded in this recent upsurge in violence. Street fighting, including heavy artillery and tank shelling, has contributed to the rising death toll. The capital has dissolved into unrest and chaos, critically affecting the city's nearly one million remaining civilians.

The insurgents are supporters of the Islamic Courts Union, which held control of the country for the better part of 2006 before being ousted by the transitional federal government (TFG) backed by Ethiopia with the support of the United States. Groups of insurgents have lately taken over control of small towns, immediately imposing sharia law, then dissolving before reinforcements arrive in an apparent show of strength against the government and its troops [1]. Recent clashes with Ethiopian and Somali troops in the capital have put increased strain on attempts at peace brokering and establishment of infrastructure in the country, further threatening people already displaced by a over a year of constant fighting and insecurity.

Somalia has been without a permanent government since 1991 and has been embroiled in bitter upheavals and civil war since February 2006. Ethiopian troops, called in at the request of the TFG, have been in Somalia since December 2006, helping to clear the south of Islamists. The fighting and violence since moved to the capital, where government forces (both Somali and Ethiopian) battle with insurgents. The U.N. estimates that over half the city's inhabitants have fled [2], many to dangerous and ill-supported refugee camps. It is estimated that over one million people have died as a result of the violence and upheavals between rival warlords, lack of infrastructure and resources to manage rampant disease, and drought leading to malnutrition and death [3].

Considered a dangerous "no-go" zone, even aid groups are hesitant to work in the country, facing death and harassment for their efforts to bring relief to the millions of hungry and displaced people. The malnutrition rate in Somalia approaches 20% and last month, the U.N. stated that without immediate aid, 15,000 children are at risk of starvation [2]. The recent upsurge in violence in the country inevitably delays or permanently cancels any efforts to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the country.

Currently, only 1,600 Ugandan troops of the promised 8,000 peacekeepers have arrived in Somalia to establish order and relieve Ethiopian troops [4]. In February 2007, African Union troops were promised to Somalia for a six-month peacekeeping mission, after which permanent duties would be assumed by a U.N. force [3]. These additional forces were intended to provide a level of security and protection to Somali people but violence and increasing instability have prevented this action.

The IIJD calls on the international community to invest attention, energy and resources to come to Somalia's immediate aid. For too long, the situation in Somalia has been ignored by the global community, and government leaders must work with all parties involved in the Somali conflict to find an acceptable, sustainable solution. Violence and instability throughout the country are having a devastating impact on its people. The international community must take action, as crisis in Somalia will increasingly impact other countries, as weapons, refugees and violence expand beyond borders. It is in the best interest of the international community to keep regional conflicts contained. The U.N. must follow through on its pledge of African Union troops. There is no chance for lasting growth and infrastructure development without stability, without which the country will plunge into further desperate conditions. International aid efforts must focus on building economic, political, and governmental democratic institutions for more accountability and transparency. Somalis have the right to a government invested and focused on their needs, a stable, peaceful environment, and an immediate reduction of the threat to their daily lives. The international community must stand up and demand peace and stability for Somalia, ensuring protection for each person's basic human rights and an opportunity to rebuild their country's infrastructure and government. It must be remembered that although important for creating peace, peacekeeping forces alone do not provide development. Sending military forces to support one clan over the other without contributing to the establishment of a fair and open system of governance - one that includes a real separation and balance of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and guarantees a clear democratic process of alternation of power supported by strong institutions - will make it very difficult for the International Community to consolidate long-term peace for the people of Somalia and the region.

[1] Reuters: "Somalia death toll nears 100 with fresh fighting"

[2] BBC: "Somalia is 'the forgotten crisis'

[3] IIJD Call for Action March/April 2007

[4] BBC: "Ethiopia PM attacks UN on Somalia"