Somalia’s unity threatened by external, internal interferences, UN says

By The Star Staff Writer

MOGADISHU — The United Nations Security Council on Thursday expressed concern over the spillover of the Gulf crisis into the internal affairs of Somalia, saying such interference can tear the Horn of Africa nation apart.

“The Security Council notes with concern that internal and external pressures risk undermining Somalia’s political unity,” said a statement endorsed by the 15-member council. “The Security Council underscores the importance of working to prevent destabilizing effects of regional crises and disputes from spilling over into Somalia.”

The presidential statement was an indirect dig at the United Arab Emirates that was recently accused of undermining Somalia’s sovereignty after striking unilateral trade and military deals with politicians from the northern regions of the country.

A diplomatic tension has erupted between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates after Mogadishu decided to remain neutral in the yearlong Gulf crisis pitting Qatar against four Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Those countries have since cut ties with Doha and imposed an air, sea and land blockade on the tiny nation.

Somalis have in recent months been accusing the United Arab Emirates of trying to divide their country into clan-based fiefdoms by setting regional administrators, especially politicians in the northwestern and northeastern regions, against the central government in Mogadishu. The UAE is already on the cusp of setting up a military base in the coastal city of Berbera. It’s also secured two separate deals to operate the ports of Berbera and Bossaso in the northwestern and northeastern regions of the country respectively.

The deals irked the national government, which in March asked the United Nations Security Council to take action against Abu Dhabi for violating its sovereignty.

The UAE has since discontinued a financial support it was providing to the Mogadishu-based national army and closed an outpatient hospital it ran in the capital.

Last month, the European Union and the African Union expressed concern over the UAE’s involvement in Somalia’s internal affairs, with the AU saying that Abu Dhabi’s interference could undermine the war-scarred nation’s security and state-building efforts. The international community is worried that the UAE’s unilateral ties with rogue regional administrators could erode the national government’s authority across the country and embolden the Qaida-linked group of al Shabab.

In its statement, the council expressed “serious concern at the ongoing threat posed by Al‑Shabaab” and reaffirmed the world body’s “support for a comprehensive approach to security in Somalia.”

It also stressed “the need for all stakeholders including Somalia’s international partners to work constructively to support the federal system and its institutions and to respect Somalia’s peace- and State‑building process.”

The council reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia, reiterating “its support for peace, stability and development” in the Horn of Africa nation.

It urged warring parties in the northern Sool region to immediately cease “hostilities, including refraining from statements or actions that may raise tensions” and pull back their forces and engage in dialogue.

“The Security Council notes with concern that the fighting has exacerbated the humanitarian situation and calls on all parties to allow and facilitate full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access,” the statement read by the Russian UN Ambassador Dmitry A. Polyanskiy

Also on Thursday, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo reiterated the UN’s support for the people and government of Somalia.

“Unity of Somalis is essential to advance federalism, reduce violence, defeat extremism, tackle the humanitarian challenges and deliver real benefits to the population,” said DiCarlo after meeting with President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo at the presidential palace in the nation’s capital, Mogadishu.

She said the aim of her first field visit since her appointment as Under-Secretary-General was to support the ongoing political and peace processes in Somalia and explore how best to assist the country to overcome its security, humanitarian and political challenges.

The Security Council said that accelerating the country’s economic recovery to support livelihoods and create jobs would be an essential component of building peace and stability and supporting sustainable development.

It urged Somali politicians to prioritize efforts toward the transition plan that allows Somalia to take over security responsibilities from the African Union peacekeepers. It also called on international partners to support the plan, saying it looks forward to the recommendations of the fourth African Union‑United Nations joint review of AMISOM on how the continental mission should be configured to support the transition.

A Somalia partnership forum is expected to take place in Brussels on June 25‑26, and the council said it looked forward to “further progress on political, security and economic reforms.”