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Starving Strangers Case Study: Somalia

Starving Strangers Case Study: Somalia. Anran Wang AhRum Choi. Historical Background. Since 1969, Somalia was ruled by one dictator and his extend family Well armed since it had been a client of Russia and then a client of the US

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Starving Strangers Case Study: Somalia

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  1. Starving Strangers Case Study: Somalia Anran Wang AhRumChoi

  2. Historical Background • Since 1969, Somalia was ruled by one dictator and his extend family • Well armed since it had been a client of Russia and then a client of the US • The state rapidly degenerated into anarchy followed by the fall of the government of SiadBarre in January 1991 • Mass starvation occurred and in response to this, the US-led intervention took place in December 1992.

  3. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • In 1992, Somalia was gripped with terrible famine following the collapse of the Somali state. • The international community failed to respond to this emergency and only started to respond in the summer of 1992 – the UN Secretary General with a more forcible approach and the Bush Administration’s handling of the Somali crisis

  4. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • Resolution 794 • Passed on 3 December 1992, It granted the further employment of personnel of the UN Operation in Somalis. • Chapter VII was invoked to allow the US to conduct military enforcement action. • Passed unanimously. Even China and India went along with this because of the “uniqueness” of this case: it does not breach the UN’s non-intervention rule in Article 2(7).

  5. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • Resolution 794 • “Recognizing the unique character of the present situation in Somalia…the magnitude of the human tragedy…constitutes a threat to international peace and security” • Authorizing a Chapter VII intervention expressed in humanitarian reasons: that severe humanitarian situation is now considered a “threat”

  6. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • December 1992 • Operation Restore Hope was launched and the Unified Task Force (UNITAF) composed of 30,000 US troops plus contributions from thirty other states went into Somali to deliver food aid. • The scope of action was very limited as it only focused on ensuring humanitarian aid without disarming the warring parties.

  7. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • Jan - Mar 1993 – the Addis Ababa Accords • An attempt to establish a new framework for nation building in Somalia • As a result, a formal ceasefire and disarmament agreement among the fourteen groups were reached. • However, fighting still broke out and the second conference was held in March • The agreement called for disarmament within ninety days and saw the UN step up its commitment by supporting the nation building processes.

  8. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • Resolution 814 • A new mandate was necessary to replace UNITAF which was only authorized to use force to assist with the delivery of humanitarian aid. • Particular commitment from the US and no state spoke against it stating that it is an “exceptional” case and is necessary for the int’l community to respond to the situation in Somalia • Authorized UN forces under Chapter VII to use force to: • To create a secure environment throughout Somalia • To promote political reconciliation • To establish the rule of law • To ensure compliance by all Somali parties

  9. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • UNOSOM II forces • Their main task was to assist the rebuilding of basic institutions and with it, the formal control was transferred to the UN • 20,000 UN peacekeepers • The US contributed 8000 logistical troops and a QRF of 1,200 men as well as providing one third of the total cost • On 4th May 1993, UNOSOM II forces replaced UNITAF but the security situation was rapidly deteriorating in Mogandishu.

  10. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • Resolution 837 • Adopted after the killing of 24 Pakistani peacekeepers on 5 June • Condemned the ‘unprovoked armed attacks’ and authorized ‘all necessary measures against all those responsible’. • US started hunting for Aidid and conducted air attacks against the clans and sub-clans allied to the SNA. Civilian losses occurred (over 100 Somalis) • Now a military intervention instead of humanitarian intervention?

  11. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • Resolution 837 saw a heavier US military involvement and with it came more casualties and stronger political backlash from the Congress. • On 22 August, President Clinton decided to send in the Delta Force and Army Rangers. Meanwhile, the Clinton Adm tried to change the policy course with a renewed emphasis on exploring nonmilitary options.

  12. Key Tipping Points and Actions Taken • The October 3 Debacle • The Rangers continued to hunt down Aidid despite what was going on in the Clinton Adm • Two Blackhawks were shot down by SNA forces. 500 Somalis were killed and 18 Rangers were killed. • Domestic pressure grew immensely and President Clinton announced a withdrawal of all US forces by 31 March 1994

  13. Failures of International Society (1) The UN Secretary General and Security Council should have stopped the military operation when it caused large-scale civilian deaths. Failed to do this, the “humanitarian” operation stepped out of line and lost the support from local public.

  14. Failures of International Society (2) • Developed Western Countries showed little interest in contributing to the rebuild of the state of Somalia. • After getting involved in the confrontation for a certain period of time, the international society withdrew its forces with problems unsolved. Their transitory involvement may make the situation deteriorate.

  15. Failures of International Society (3) Security Council and US Army’s ignored local cultural tradition. • The UN should have gathered information regarding Aidid’s guilt in order to persuade elders and clan leaders to cooperate with it. • Helicopters of US Army displayed the boots of its soldiers they were flying their low-level search.

  16. Puzzles Surrounding the Failures of International Society (1) How to ensure the power and flexibility needed by the UN forces to effectively achieve the goals of their operation, while at the same time maintain the effective control by the UN on its forces? If the UN forces are not given enough power and resources, then no positive outcome may result. On the other hand, failure to regulate the action of the forces may result in outcomes that go against humanitarian purposes.

  17. Puzzles Surrounding the Failures of International Society (2) In the case where violence toward human rights is not resulted from any deliberate action by the government but rooted in the disorder of the whole society, is armed intervention by outside forces still able to solve the problem? Viewing from the case of Somalia, it is highly doubtful whether armed intervention works in such situation. Ironically, it is exactly because the anarchic status in Somalia that China and India acceded to the resolution in SC.

  18. Puzzles Surrounding the Failures of International Society (3) • In the case where no one is willing to bolster the reestablishment of social order and rule of the law, is it still sagacious to carry out short-term operation aiming at stopping the slaughter which is happening or about to happen? • Intervention without efforts in long-term rebuild may possibly in fact worsen the situation. However, international society cannot remain ignorant on large-scale violations of human rights.

  19. Evaluation of Legitimacy (1) Supreme Humanitarian Emergency Yes. Last resort Yes. Proportionality Under controversy but seems Yes. Positive Humanitarian Outcome Under controversy but seems no.

  20. Evaluation of Legitimacy (2) Humanitarian Motives Yes. More than one motives exist but humanitarian consideration seems to be the overwhelming one. Humanitarian Justification Yes. Legality Yes. Approved by the Security Council. Selectivity Seems no.

  21. Evaluation of Legitimacy (3)

  22. Aftermath and Current Situation 3 March 1995, UN withdrew its operation, with the rule of government still not restored. August 1996, Aidid was killed in Mogadishu. August 2000, Peace Conference held in Djibouti where parliament and president were elected but boycotted by warlords. December 2004, Transitional Federal Government(TFG) founded in Kenya. June 2005, TFG moved to the city of Baidoa in Southern Somalia. December 2006, TFG defeated sectarian forces and moved to Mogadishu.

  23. Somaliland 1991-present Maakhir 2007-2008 Puntland 1998-present

  24. Transitional Federal Government 2004-present Galmudug 2006-present Jubaland 2001-2006 Southwestern Somalia 2002-2006 Islamic Courts Union 2006-2007

  25. Thank You for Listening Ahrum & Anran

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