UN Security Council supports UN contingency planning for Somalia

On Monday, the UN Security Council considered last week’s report of the Secretary-General on Somalia which suggested that deploying a UN peace-keeping force in Somalia was not realistic because of the current security situation. He said it had not even been possible to send a technical assessment mission. The Secretary-General said it might be advisable to look at additional security options including “the deployment of a robust multinational force or a coalition of the willing.” Speaking after a closed session briefing, the current President of the Security Council, Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia, said the Council had “underlined the need to continue to actively develop contingency plans for the possible deployment of a UN peacekeeping force as part of an enhanced UN strategy in Somalia.” The President said the Council called on all Somali stakeholders “to renounce violence and to engage in an all-inclusive peace process”. It expressed support for the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to promote dialogue, consultation and reconciliation, as well as for the Transitional Federal Institutions. The Council also “recognized the need for greater financial, logistical and technical support for AMISOM”. It underlined the need for enhanced international assistance to address the humanitarian situation. The President said subsequently that contingency planning involved a possible UN response to the humanitarian and political situation as well as a UN peacekeeping force. He said that Council members were considering an expert-level consultation with UN political, peacekeeping and humanitarian officials. The Secretary-General said after the meeting that the Somali situation should be addressed by promoting a dialogue in support of national reconciliation, and helping AMISOM with money and equipment to operate more effectively.