Africa News

UN considers peacekeeping deployment to Somalia

May 15, 2008, 21:31 GMT

New York - The UN Security Council decided Thursday to send a political mission to Somalia in advance of a peacekeeping operation in the Horn of Africa nation. South Africa and other African governments have called for peacekeeping troops in Somalia, torn by decades of tribal fighting that had prevented the establishment of a stable government and economic development. The 15-nation council adopted unanimously a resolution ordering the UN to move its political office, which is now in Nairobi, Kenya, to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu or another location in the country. That office will be tasked to help deliver the 'comprehensive, integrated UN strategy' in Somalia previously worked out to end the fighting and restore peace and security. British Ambassador John Sawers, president of the council, said the adoption of the resolution was made possible because of efforts by the transitional government in Mogadishu to restore peace and security. 'We are seeing a movement toward peace and stability in Somalia,' Sawers said. The goals of the political office are to promote a comprehensive and lasting settlement in Somalia, enhance support of the transitional government in Mogadishu and the political process, develop a constitution and hold a constitutional referendum and elections in 2009. The council called for strengthening the arms embargo imposed on Somalia. 'It's a very, very big victory,' said South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo. 'We have adopted a very good resolution.' 'For the first time, the council sent a signal to the Somali people that, if the security conditions and political process are in place, then the Security Council will consider peacekeeping operations,' Kumalo said. Kumalo said Mogadishu was still not safe for the political office to settle down, but the UN was looking to other cities in Somalia as an interim location. The political office will replace the small UN mission now operating in Somalia.

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in Africa

Talkback

There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)

Video News

Latest from M&C Blogs

Wa Po buries Jesse Helms - Global Eye on July 8, 2008 6:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Bush calls for agreement on climate change at G8 summit - Global Eye on July 7, 2008 2:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gordon Brown calls on G8 leaders to secure trade deal - Global Eye on July 4, 2008 3:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Algae bloom threatening Olympic sailing events - The World in Pictures on July 4, 2008 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Recreation of the Argo - The World in Pictures on July 2, 2008 7:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The Nigh' by Spanish artist Antonio Lope - The World in Pictures on July 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Africa

Africa News

UN considers peacekeeping deployment to Somalia

Latest Headlines in Africa

Talkback

Most Popular Articles on M&C Today

Video News

Latest from M&C Blogs

Similar articles

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print