Kibaki calls for UN to step up "peace efforts" (??) in Somalia

[Kentake]

Somalia: UN asked to step up "peace efforts"



The Nation (Nairobi)
29 October 2008



The United Nations has come under heavy criticism for inaction in war-torn Somalia, resulting in the continued instability in the country.
Speakers at an Inter-governmental Authority on Development (Igad) summit in Nairobi on Wednesday criticised the international body for not doing much to bring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa country.

It has not had an effective government for almost two decades. President Kibaki called for the UN to "step up" and help bring security in the volatile country.

Resources
"The international community has not provided adequate resources for peacekeeping to the Transitional Federal Government to fully implement its mandate," he said.
"Kenya, therefore, appeals to the United Nations to step up and honour its mandate of maintaining international peace and security," he added.
In a communique read by Igad Council of Ministers chairman Seyoum Mesfin, the group's heads of state and government urged the UN to quickly fulfil its responsibilities as stipulated in the Djibouti agreement of August 19 to cover the costs of the 10,000 strong police force for Somalia.
They expressed regret over the delay by the international community in responding to repeated appeals by Igad, the African Union and the UN to strengthen and provide support to the African Mission in Somalia.
In the 21-point communique, President Kibaki, southern Sudan's Salva Kiir and Djibouti's Omar Guelleh called on the international community to help strengthen transitional federal institutions.
They said this should be done through capacity building and provision of technical and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of thousands of the displaced people of Somalia.
Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi said: "Somalia has not been given required support by the UN and international community at large."
He said only Uganda and Burundi had provided troops to Somalia. "I don't see why the international community has found it difficult to do something to an African country to ensure stability".