On Somalia, UNSC Disputes Paragraphs on Ships, EU & Study of Funding, Arms
Embargo
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 4, 2012 -- On the Somalia resolution pending in the
UN Security Council, the European
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/som1naval110112.html> "cheapness" on which
Inner City Press reported November 1
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/som1naval110112.html> continues, even as the
November 7 extended expiration of the mandate of the AMISON mission
approaches.
As issue is proposed Operative Paragraph 5 of the draft, which says the
Security Council
"Expresses its intention to review AMISOM's authorised tasks as provided for
in paragraph 1 of this resolution within four months ofthe date of this
resolution and no longer than six months, including reassessing the utility
of a maritime component."
African and other members of the Security Council have asked the European
members why they are adverse to paying for the Kenyan naval component which,
even outside of AMISOM and its ostensible human rights standards, help drive
Al Shabaab out of Kismayo.
The responses have ranged from wanting more information about the maritime
component -- one source counters, it's a little late, isn't it? -- to not
wanting the Kenyan Navy to take over from the Europeans' own anti-piracy
Operation ATALANTA. Click her
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/som2eupmc042712.html> e for previous Inner
City Press coverage of that.
An African diplomatic source told Inner City Press, "It seems the
Europeans don't want their parliaments to see that the fight against piracy
could be done better and cheaper than they are doing it."
Another compared this standoff to past reimbursements, including
depreciation, to Germany for its ships off Lebanon in the UNIFIL mission.
The United States, whose Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
Wendy Sherman was as of Friday rumored to be on the way to Mogadishu, is
said to oppose another paragraph, OP 10, which would say the Security
Council
"welcomes support to AMISOM by the African Union's partners, especially
through the European Union's African Peace Facility, but notes the limited
resources of this facility in the context of AMISOM' s mandate renewal,
underlines the importance of predictable and sustainable funding for AMISOM,
as called for by the AU, and requests the Secretary General, in consultation
with the AU, to include in his upcoming review options and recommendations
for AMISOM's funding."
African members have asked, what's wrong with at least at least studying
this?
On the Somalia arms embargo, a concern has arisen the lifting the embargo
might help Somaliland and Puntland become more independent. On the charcoal
sales, the draft would have the Council noting the "intention of the Somali
authorities to study this unique situation further, and expressing its
willingness to take further action, if appropriate and in consultation with
the Somali authorities, to address this situation."
On November 2, this month's Security Council president Hardeep Singh Puri
of India told Inner City Press he doesn't like "kicking the can down the
road." Watch this site.
Received on Sun Nov 04 2012 - 20:09:03 EST
