UN Somali Envoy’s Omnious Message

Mulugeta Alemu, 12/24/07

The 100 or so Burundian soldiers joined 1600 Ugandan troops already stationed in Mogadishu. Burundi had pledged 1700 troops. It is expected that additional troops will be contributed by countries such as Nigeria. As the first batch of these troops arrives in the Somalia capital, the international community is yet to muster the required resources to bolster the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Given the indolence of the international community in supporting AMISOM and the complex problems within Somalia, AMISOM’s future is still fuzzy and alas, the message coming from the United Nations is indeed ill-omened.

In his recent report to the Security Council and press statement afterwards, Ban ki Moon’s Special Envoy to Somalia, Mauritanian national Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, outlined his vision for Somalia. He proclaimed his plan to introduce a ‘two-tracked approach’ and declared the end of ‘business as usual’ response. His declaration made a lip service to AMISOM, but is accompanied by a rather curious proposal which raised eyebrows at the UN headquarters. He suggested that Saudi Arabia should play a leading role in Somalia. Why should Saudi Arabia be invited to Somalia? He bizarrely responded that the Saudis host Islam’s two holist sites, and have a moral ‘authority’ and ‘prestige’. He also elaborated on the need for Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Jordan to contribute troops to Somalia. He made a lame political balance by halfheartedly raising the possibility that one or two NATO countries may consider sending troops. As expected, few understood his proposals and rationale behind them.

Ban Ki Moon had ignored the UN Security Council to develop a UN contingency plan on Somalia, and even made a controversial statement in November suggesting that Somalia is too risky for a UN mission. Shouldn’t Mr. Ould-Abdallah’s new enthusiasm be encouraged?

Countless problems loom large in his proposals. Firstly they are excessively vague and half-backed. His recommendations, probably treading incalculable sensitive geopolitical issues, were crafted in such generalities that members of the Security Council were forced to ask for more details. While talking about the need to establish an all-inclusive ‘government of national unity’, he avoided any mention of the peace and reconciliation conference held in Somalia through the auspices of the TFG, and its outcome. Among his chief proposals, however, there is one which stands out having a particularly significant potential impact on AMISOM. And this proposal relates to his call for Saudi Arabia’s role, and a strange naming of Islamic countries as potential contributors of troops to Somalia. The envoy’s message is clear and it is this- Somalia’s crisis is primary an arabic and islamic issue and thus it should be handled as such.

Are the Saudis interested to send troops to Somalia? There is no indication that they are. So far Saudi’s role has been limited to hosting Somalis for peace talks, and probably sending a lot of money to the Islamists. One such talk occurred in October 2007. They are also active in Organization of Islamic Conference contact group on Somalia. But the odds are high that they are probably testing the waters for a more pronounced influence in Somalia. Mr Ould-Abdallah’s happy-go-lucky statements made that very clear indeed.

For several years, the Islamists enjoyed a strong support from Gulf States and business interests. A carefully crafted campaign projecting Ethiopia’s intervention in Somalia as American attack on Islam through a Christian satellite in Africa was evident. So far these messages were veiled. It is remarkable how the message is being sent through quite innocent sounding diplomatic briefs.