Suldaanka Posted October 27, 2005 Somalia: Interview with Maxwell Gaylard, UN Humanitarian Coordinator[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations] HARGEYSA, 27 October (IRIN) - The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Maxwell Gaylard, visited the country including Somaliland and Puntland on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the UN. In an interview with IRIN on 23 October in Hargeysa, the Somaliland capital, he talked about the UN's work there. Below are excerpts of the interview: QUESTION: How have the UN agencies contributed to the management of conflict in Somalia? ANSWER: It was a very difficult situation. Following the collapse of the Somali state in early 90's, conflict was waged across several parts particularly in the center [and] south. We have tried to focus where we can, first of all on providing humanitarian support for people affected by the conflict - IDPs [internally displaced people], refugees and so on. Even in the areas of conflict you will find UN agencies providing water, health and social services [and] carrying out development projects, for example, the re-opening of the Chinese canal in the middle Shabelle area of the Shabelle river. The UN has promoted land surveys for farmers. We are told that has led to a reduction in conflict among clans and sub-clans. We are operating on a lot of fronts - humanitarian, recovery and development across a wide range of sectors. Q: What have your efforts in restoring the rule of law and security achieved? A: The principle achievement of the UN in re-establishing the rule of law has been in areas where Somalis themselves have achieved or re-established a measure of peace. The best example is Somaliland, which has been peaceful for some time now. You had a process in Somaliland led by locals. They talked for many months under the trees in Burao and Borama, so that has given us something to build upon. It is really up to the Somalis to take the lead in re-establishing peace and reconciliation. In Somaliland they have a very good police force [and] in Puntland we are beginning with the authorities to assist in establishing a police force and reform the judiciary. We have been more successful in the northern areas, in Somaliland and northeast Somalia. In the center [and] south, we are just beginning since the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been there for only one year. It is striving to put itself in place - making some progress but the whole thing will take sometime. I think we have to think in terms of years rather than months or weeks to re-establish the rule of law. But the UN got a lot of experience from Somaliland and the northeast of Somalia and I think we are in a position to help in the center [and] south. As we speak, about 60 senior police officers have returned from training in Uganda and those will help to establish the new Somalia police force. Q: Until a blanket ban was imposed by the Gulf countries, livestock trade used to be the mainstay of the Somali economy. Do you have any plans to resuscitate the industry? A: We have been working on the livestock sector for some years. There are many aspects of the Somali livestock industry. For example, since the collapse of the Somali state in the early 1990s trade began in southern Somalia of cattle into Kenya, which was not there before. In the north, you find a lot of sheep, goats and camels going to the Gulf countries. They have lifted the ban with the exception of Saudi Arabia. It's not for me to speak for Saudi Arabia, but what they want as importers of livestock is to be assured of the health of the animals that are being purchased and brought into the kingdom. As UN, there are various agencies trying to help the Somalis, Somalia administration and the Somaliland government. We are trying to help re-establish structures to ensure the health of the animals that are going oversees Q: The majority of Somalis continue to rely on remittances for survival and development. However some of the remittance companies are required to obtain license or meet certain criteria to operate globally. Has the UN embarked on measures to bring them at par with international financial institutions? A: We have tried to address the challenges in countries where remittances are coming from - for example the US, Canada and Europe. We have tried to help banks in those countries understand the remittance industry. With the Somalis remittance companies we have tried to guide them towards being transparent, accountable and that they are registered in the countries of origin. There is suspicion between the companies and banks overseas. The UN is trying to lessen that suspicion and deal with banks and regulatory authorities overseas. It is thought Somalis in the Diaspora remit probably US $750million to $1billion a year of which a quarter goes to household incomes. Q: What challenges are UN Agencies facing while undertaking their activities in Somalia? A: There are plenty of challenges. The first and most critical being that of security. Where areas are secure, we can work to help local or regional authorities. If we have secure conditions then the safety and welfare of staff are assured. We work in those places that are insecure but it becomes very expensive working there. Another is the scale of the destruction - which is enormous. When you look at what needs to be done in Somalia, sometimes you wonder where you are going to start. Q: What's your view on the 29 September legislative polls in Somaliland? A: I understand from my brief visit here that every one including leaders of political parties, National Electoral Commission, civil society groups and international observers have put their approval on these election. It is a significant step in the democratic process, which Somaliland has been building for years. I think building a democracy is not something you can do overnight, it takes time and Somaliland has done well. [ENDS] IRIN-CEA Tel: +254 2 622147 Fax: +254 2 622129 Email: IRIN@ocha.unon.org Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suldaanka Posted October 28, 2005 United Nations Special Representative to Visit Hargeisa, Somaliland Nairobi - 28 October 2005: The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall, will travel to Hargeisa at the weekend to meet with H.E. Dahir Riyale Kahin and other leaders (30-31 October). It will be Ambassador Fall’s first visit to Somaliland which has just concluded its first parliamentary election. “The people and their leaders are to be commended for the progress they have made towards security and true democracy,†he said. “They have succeeded in rising above the conflicts that have stifled social progress and the peaceful aspirations of the vast majority of the Somali people for the past 14 years.†“I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit Hargeisa and to listen and learn from Somali leaders there,†Ambassador Fall said. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jabhad Posted October 28, 2005 United Nations Special Representative to Visit Hargeisa, Somalia Ambassador Francois Lounseny Fall, SRSG for Somalia Nairobi - 28 October 2005: The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Francois Lonseny Fall, will travel to Hargeisa at the weekend to meet with H.E. Dahir Riyale Kahin and other leaders (30- 31 October). It will be Ambassador Fall’s first visit to Somaliland which has just concluded its first parliamentary election. “The people and their leaders are to be commended for the progress they have made towards security and true democracy,†he said. “They have succeeded in rising above the conflicts that have stifled social progress and the peaceful aspirations of the vast majority of the Somali people for the past 14 years.†“I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit Hargeisa and to listen and learn from Somali leaders there,†Ambassador Fall said. Source: United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), Oct. 28, 2005 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
