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UNITED NATIONS OPERATION IN SOMALIA I (UNOSOM I) - Background (Full text)

FULLTEXT
HISTORICALBACKGROUND
EARLYUNITEDNATIONSEFFORTS
UNOSOMDEPLOYED
EstablishmentofUNOSOM
OriginalConceptofOperations
EnlargementofUNOSOM
HUMANITARIANEFFORTS
USEOFFORCEAUTHORIZED
SituationDeteriorates
OptionsSuggested
CouncilAuthorizesUseofForce
UNITAFDeployed
PeaceAgreements
TRANSITIONTOUNOSOMII
TransitionRecommended
UNOSOMIIEstablished
HISTORICALBACKGROUND
ThedownfallofPresidentSiadBarreinJanuary1991resultedinapowerstruggleandclanclashesin
manypartsofSomalia.InNovember,themostintensefightingsinceJanuarybrokeoutinthecapital,
Mogadishu,betweentwofactionsConesupportingInterimPresidentAliMahdiMohamedandtheother
supportingtheChairmanoftheUnitedSomaliCongress,GeneralMohamedFarahAidid.Sincethen,
fightingpersistedinMogadishuandspreadthroughoutSomalia,withheavilyarmedelementscontrolling
variouspartsofthecountry.Somedeclaredalliancewithoneortheotherofthetwofactions,while
othersdidnot.Numerousmaraudinggroupsofbanditsaddedtotheproblem.
Thehostilitiesresultedinwidespreaddeathanddestruction,forcinghundredsofthousandsofcivilians
tofleetheirhomesandcausingadireneedforemergencyhumanitarianassistance.Almost4.5million
peopleinSomaliaCoverhalfoftheestimatedpopulationCwerethreatenedbyseveremalnutritionand
malnutritionrelateddisease,withthemostaffectedlivinginthecountryside.Itwasestimatedthat
perhaps300,000peoplediedsinceNovember1991,andatleast1.5millionliveswereatimmediate
risk.AlmostonemillionSomalissoughtrefugeinneighbouringcountriesandelsewhere.
Thepoliticalchaos,deterioratingsecuritysituation,widespreadbanditryandlooting,andextentof
physicaldestructioncompoundedtheproblemandseverelyconstrainedthedeliveryofhumanitarian
supplies.Furthermore,theconflictthreatenedstabilityintheHornofAfricaregion,anditscontinuation
occasionedthreatstointernationalpeaceandsecurityinthearea.
EARLYUNITEDNATIONSEFFORTS
DespitetheturmoilthatensuedaftertheoverthrowofPresidentSiadBarre,theUnitedNations
continueditshumanitarianeffortsinSomaliaand,byMarch1991,wasfullyengagedinthatcountry.
Overthefollowingmonths,thevolatilesecuritysituationforcedtheUnitedNationsonseveral
occasionstotemporarilywithdrawitspersonnelfromSomalia,butitcontinueditshumanitarian
activitiestothefullestextentpossible,incooperationwiththeInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross
(ICRC)andnongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs).
ThedeterioratingandappallingsituationinSomalialedtheUnitedNationsSecretaryGeneral,in

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cooperationwiththeOrganizationofAfricanUnity(OAU),theLeagueofArabStates(LAS)andthe
OrganizationoftheIslamicConference(OIC),tobecomeactivelyinvolvedwiththepoliticalaspectsof
thecrisisandtopressforapeacefulsolutiontotheconflict.
On27December1991,thenSecretaryGeneralJavierPrezdeCullarinformedthePresidentofthe
SecurityCouncilthatheintendedtotakeaninitiativeinanattempttorestorepeaceinSomalia.
Accordingly,afterconsultingincomingSecretaryGeneralBoutrosBoutrosGhali,heaskedthenUnder
SecretaryGeneralforPoliticalAffairsJamesO.C.Jonahtovisitthearea.
InearlyJanuary1992,despitecontinuedfightinginMogadishu,Mr.JonahledateamofseniorUnited
NationsofficialsintoSomaliafortalksaimedatbringingaboutacessationofhostilitiesandsecuring
accessbytheinternationalreliefcommunitytocivilianscaughtintheconflict.Duringthatvisit,support
foraceasefireinMogadishuwasexpressedbyallfactionleaders,exceptGeneralAidid.Unanimous
supportwasexpressed,however,foraUnitedNationsroleinbringingaboutnationalreconciliation.
TheresultsofthevisitwerereportedtoSecretaryGeneralBoutrosBoutrosGhali,whothenconsulted
withthemembersoftheSecurityCouncilontheappropriatecourseofaction.On23January,byits
resolution733(1992),theSecurityCouncilurgedallpartiestotheconflicttoceasehostilities,and
decidedthatallStatesshouldimmediatelyimplementageneralandcompleteembargoonalldeliveries
ofweaponsandmilitaryequipmenttoSomalia.TheCouncilrequestedtheSecretaryGeneralto
increasehumanitarianassistancetotheaffectedpopulationandtocontactallpartiesinvolvedinthe
conflicttoseektheircommitmenttothecessationofhostilities,topromoteaceasefireandtoassistin
theprocessofapoliticalsettlementoftheconflict.
On31January,theSecretaryGeneralinvitedLAS,OAUandOIC,aswellasInterimPresidentAli
MahdiandGeneralAidid,tosendtheirrepresentativestoparticipateinconsultationsatUnitedNations
Headquartersfrom12to14February.ThetalkssucceededingettingthetwofactionsinMogadishuto
agreetoanimmediatecessationofhostilitiesandthemaintenanceoftheceasefire,andtoavisitto
MogadishubyajointhighleveldelegationcomposedofrepresentativesoftheUnitedNationsandthe
threeregionalorganizationstoconcludeaceasefireagreement.Thejointdelegationarrivedin
Mogadishuon29February1992.On3March,afterfourdaysofintensivenegotiations,Interim
PresidentAliMahdiandGeneralAididsignedan"AgreementontheImplementationofaCeasefire".
ThisAgreementalsoincludedtheacceptanceofaUnitedNationssecuritycomponentforconvoysof
humanitarianassistance,andthedeploymentof20militaryobserversoneachsideofMogadishuto
monitortheceasefire.Atthesametime,thejointdelegationundertookconsultationsregardinga
nationalreconciliationconferencetowhichallSomaligroupswouldbeinvited.
On17March,theSecurityCounciladopteditsresolution746(1992),supportingtheSecretaryGeneral's
decisiontodispatchtoSomaliaatechnicalteamtoprepareaplanforaceasefiremonitoring
mechanism.TheCouncilalsorequestedthattheteamdevelopahighpriorityplantoensurethedelivery
ofhumanitarianassistance.TheteamvisitedSomaliafrom23Marchto1April.Followingdiscussions
withtheteam,InterimPresidentAliMahdiandGeneralAididsignedon28and27March1992,
respectively,LettersofAgreementonthemechanismsformonitoringtheceasefireandon
arrangementsforequitableandeffectivedistributionofhumanitarianassistance.
UNOSOMDEPLOYED
EstablishmentofUNOSOM
On24April1992,inresponsetoarecommendationoftheSecretaryGeneral,theSecurityCouncil
adoptedresolution751(1992),bywhichitdecidedtoestablishaUnitedNationsOperationinSomalia
(UNOSOM).TheCouncilalsoaskedtheSecretaryGeneral,incooperationwithLAS,OAUandOIC,to
pursueconsultationswithallSomalipartiestowardsconveningaconferenceonnationalreconciliation
andunity.ItalsocalledontheinternationalcommunityforfinancialandothersupportfortheSecretary
General's90dayPlanofActionforEmergencyHumanitarianAssistancetoSomalia.
TheCouncilwelcomedtheSecretaryGeneral'sintentiontoappointaSpecialRepresentativefor
SomaliatoprovideoveralldirectionofUnitedNationsactivitiesinthatcountry.Mr.Mohammed
SahnounofAlgeriawasappointedSpecialRepresentativeon28April1992andleftfortheareaon1
May.
OriginalConceptofOperations

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InaccordancewiththeagreementsreachedwiththetwomainSomalifactionsinMogadishu,the
ceasefireinthecapitalwastobemonitoredbyagroupof50unarmeduniformedUnitedNationsmilitary
observers.Asregardshumanitarianassistance,thesecuritypersonnelenvisagedintheagreements
weretoprovideprotectionandsecurityforUnitedNationspersonnel,equipmentandsuppliesatthe
seaportsandairportsinMogadishuandescortdeliveriesofhumanitariansuppliesfromthereto
distributioncentresinthecityanditsimmediateenvirons.
Initsresolution751(1992),theSecurityCouncilrequestedtheSecretaryGeneraltodeployimmediately
50observerstomonitortheceasefireinMogadishu.Italsoagreed,inprinciple,toestablishasecurity
forcetobedeployedassoonaspossible,andrequestedtheSecretaryGeneraltocontinuehis
consultationswiththepartiesinMogadishuinthisregard.
On23June,theSecretaryGeneralinformedtheSecurityCouncilthatbothprincipalfactionsin
Mogadishuhadagreedtotheimmediatedeploymentoftheunarmedobservers.TheChiefMilitary
Observer,BrigadierGeneralImtazShaheenofPakistan,andtheadvancepartyofUNOSOMobservers
arrivedinMogadishuinearlyJuly1992.On12August,theSecretaryGeneralinformedtheSecurity
Councilthat,afterconsiderabledelaysanddifficulties,agreementhadbeenreachedwiththeprincipal
factionleadersinMogadishutodeploy500UnitedNationssecuritypersonnelinthecapitalaspartof
UNOSOM.TheGovernmentofPakistanhadagreedtocontributeaunitforthepurpose.Thefirstgroup
ofsecuritypersonnelarrivedinMogadishuon14September1992.
EnlargementofUNOSOM
Between4Mayand19July1992,theSecretaryGeneral'sSpecialRepresentativeundertookextensive
consultationswithvariousSomalileadersandEldersandotherpersonalitiesthroughoutthecountry.On
22July,theSecretaryGeneralreportedtotheCouncilonthecomplexpoliticalandsecuritysituationin
Somalia,aswellasthedesperatesituationthecountryfacedintermsofneedsforhumanitarian
assistance,recoveryprogrammesandinstitutionbuilding.TheSecretaryGeneralconcludedthatthe
UnitedNationsmust"adapt"itsinvolvementinSomaliaandthatitseffortsneededtobeenlargedin
ordertobringaboutaneffectiveceasefirethroughoutthecountry,whileatthesametimepromoting
nationalreconciliation.
On27July,theSecurityCouncilapprovedtheSecretaryGeneral'sreportandurgedallparties,
movementsandfactionsinSomaliatofacilitateUnitedNationseffortstoprovideurgenthumanitarian
assistancetotheaffectedpopulation.TheCouncilstronglysupportedtheSecretaryGeneral'sdecision
todispatchanothertechnicalteamtoSomalia.
Followingthetechnicalteam'svisittoSomaliafrom6to15August1992,theSecretaryGeneral
submittedhisfurtherreport,dated24August,totheSecurityCouncil,inwhichhedescribedanumber
ofurgentsteps,beingplannedoralreadytaken,tomitigatethewidespreadstarvationintheareasof
Somaliamostseriouslyaffectedbythecivilwaranddroughtandtopreventtheincidenceofhunger
escalatinginotherpartsofthecountry.NotingthattheUnitedNationsanditspartnerswerereadyand
hadthecapacitytoprovidesubstantiallyincreasedassistance,theSecretaryGeneralstatedthatthey
werepreventedfromdoingsobythelawlessnessandlackofsecurityprevailingthroughoutSomalia.
Looting,byheavilyarmedgangs,ofsuppliesfromdeliveryanddistributionpoints,aswellasattackson
incominganddockedshipsandonairportsandairstrips,preventedtheassureddeliveryofhumanitarian
assistancebyoverlandtransport.
Giventhedifficulties,theSecretaryGeneralconcludedthattheairliftoperationsCalreadybeingcarried
outbytheWorldFoodProgramme(WFP)andtheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund(UNICEF),aswellas
byICRCCneededtobeenhancedsubstantially,withprioritygiventocentralandsouthernSomalia.In
addition,a"preventivezone"ontheKenyaSomalibordershouldbeestablishedforspecialdeliveriesof
foodandseed,inanattempttoreducefamineinducedpopulationmovements.
TheSecretaryGeneralrecommendedthedeploymentoffouradditionalUnitedNationssecurityunits,
eachwithastrengthofupto750,toprotectthehumanitarianconvoysanddistributioncentres
throughoutSomalia.Also,inaccordancewithhisearlierproposal,theSecretaryGeneralrecommended
theestablishmentoffourzoneheadquartersofUNOSOM.Eachwouldbeheadedbyacivilianofficial
whowouldassisttheSecretaryGeneral'sSpecialRepresentativeinallaspectsofhisduties.
On28August,theSecurityCouncil,byitsresolution775(1992),approvedtheSecretaryGeneral's
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Generaltocontinue,inclosecooperationwithLAS,OAUandOIC,hiseffortstoseekacomprehensive
solutiontothecrisisinSomalia.
On8September,theSecurityCouncilalsoapprovedtheSecretaryGeneral'splantodeploythree
logisticunitstotallingupto719personneltosupporttheenhancedUNOSOMoperation.Consequently,
thetotalstrengthofUNOSOMwastobe4,219allranks,includingtheunitof500authorizedin
Mogadishuand719forlogisticunits.
HUMANITARIANEFFORTS
ThereweresixmainUnitedNationsorganizationsatworkinSomaliacoordinatingoverallhumanitarian
efforts:theFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO),theUnitedNations
DevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),UNICEF,theOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerfor
Refugees(UNHCR),WFPandtheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO).Inaddition,morethan30NGOs
wereworkinginSomaliaas"implementingpartners"oftheUnitedNations.Moreover,ICRCcontinuedto
provideassistanceunderthemostdifficultofsituations.TherewerealsomanylocalNGOsthatworked
withtheUnitedNationsandtheinternationalNGOs.
Between10and12September1992,aspartoftheoverallefforttoacceleratehumanitarianrelief
activities,thethenUnitedNationsUnderSecretaryGeneralforHumanitarianAffairs,Mr.JanEliasson,
ledahighlevelinteragencymissiontoSomalia.Amajoroutcomeofthemissionwasthedecisionto
developa100DayActionProgrammeforAcceleratedHumanitarianAssistance,fortheperioduntilthe
endof1992.The100DayProgrammewasreviewedattheFirstCoordinationMeetingonHumanitarian
AssistanceforSomalia,heldinGenevaon12and13October1992underthechairmanshipofthe
SecretaryGeneral'sSpecialRepresentativeforSomalia.
TheProgrammesoughttohighlightpriorityactionswhichwereneededtopreventfamineandthe
unacceptablyhighlevelsofdeathanddeprivationinSomalia.Theemphasiswasplacedonthoseareas
andpopulationsofthecountryneedingpriorityattention.TheProgrammealsoidentifiedtheadditional
resourcesrequiredtomeetitseightmainobjectives:massiveinfusionoffoodaidaggressive
expansionofsupplementaryfeedingprovisionofbasichealthservicesandmassmeasles
immunizationcampaignurgentprovisionofcleanwater,sanitationandhygieneprovisionofshelter
materials,includingblanketsandclothessimultaneousdeliveryofseeds,toolsandanimalvaccines
withfoodrationspreventionoffurtherrefugeeoutflowsandpromotingreturneeprogrammesbuilding
institutionsandcivilsocietyrehabilitationandrecovery.DonorresponsetotheProgrammewas
generallypromptandgenerous.Ofthe$82.7millionrequestedfortheimplementationofthe
Programme,$67.3millionwasreceived.
From3to5December1992,theSecretaryGeneralconvenedtheSecondCoordinationMeetingon
HumanitarianAssistanceforSomalia,attheConferenceCentreoftheEconomicCommissionforAfrica
(ECA)inAddisAbaba,Ethiopia.TheMeetingwasattendedbyrepresentativesofdonorcountriesand
otherGovernments,Somalipoliticalandcommunityleaders,andSomaliNGOs,aswellasregionaland
subregionalorganizations,UnitedNationsagenciesandinternationalNGOs.TheMeetingprovidedan
opportunitytoreviewtheprogressachievedintheimplementationofthe100DayActionProgramme,
theobstaclesencounteredandtheworkthatremainedtobedone.Thediscussionalsowentbeyondthe
scopeoftheActionProgrammetoaddressfurtherreliefactivities,aswellastherehabilitationand
reconstructionofSomalia.Oneoftheconclusionsofthemeetingwasthatthe100DayProgramme
shouldbefollowedbyanewplanfor1993.Subsequently,itwasdecidedthataUnitedNations
ConferenceonHumanitarianAssistanceforSomaliawouldbeheldinAddisAbabainMarch1993to
reviewtheReliefandRehabilitationProgrammefor1993andreceivepledgesfromdonors.
USEOFFORCEAUTHORIZED
SituationDeteriorates
InOctoberandNovember1992,despitealleffortsbytheinternationalcommunity,theUnitedNations
SecretaryGeneralandhisnewSpecialRepresentativeforSomalia,Mr.IsmatKittani,thesituationin
Somaliacontinuedtodeteriorate.[TheSecretaryGeneralappointedMr.Kittani(Iraq)ashisSpecial
Representativeon3November1992,toreplaceMr.MohammedSahnounwhohadresigned.]Somalia
remainedwithoutacentralgovernmentwithwhichtonegotiate.Mogadishuwasdividedbyrivalmilitias.
Throughoutthecountry,adozenormorefactionsCsometornbyinternaldivisionsCwereactive.The
resultingpoliticalchaosandtheextensivephysicaldestructionseverelyconstrainedthedeliveryof

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humanitariansupplies.Widespreadlootingofaidsupplies,robbery,armedbanditryandgeneral
lawlessnesscompoundedthesituation.
SeveraloftheSomalidefactoauthoritiesrefusedtoagreetothedeploymentofUnitedNationstroops
tosecuredeliveryofaidinareasofgreatestneed.UNOSOMtroopsinMogadishuwerefireduponand
theirvehiclesandarmstaken.Reliefshipswerepreventedfromdocking,threatenedandevenshelled.
Airportsandseaportscameunderfire.Largesumsofcashandreliefaidwerebeingextortedfromdonor
agenciesandorganizations,andthelivesoftheirpersonnelattemptingtodistributesuppliestostarving
peoplewerebeingputindanger.
Thenetresultwasthat,whilereliefsupplieswerereadyandinthepipeline,onlyatricklewasreaching
thoseinneed.Accordingtosomeestimates,asmanyas3,000personsadayweredyingofstarvation
inSomalia,whilewarehousesremainedstocked.Unlesstheproblemsrelatingtosecurityandprotection
ofreliefsupplieswereresolved,itwasbelievedthatUnitedNationsagenciesandNGOswouldbe
unabletoprovidetheassistanceintheamountsandontheurgentbasisneeded.
OptionsSuggested
InalettertotheSecurityCouncilon24November1992,theSecretaryGeneralreportedonthe
deterioratingsituationinSomalia,withparticularreferencetothefactorspreventingUNOSOMfrom
implementingitsmandate.TheSecretaryGeneralstatedthathedidnotexcludethepossibilitythatit
mightbecomenecessarytoreviewthebasicpremisesandprinciplesoftheUnitedNationseffortthere.
HecitedthelackofgovernmentinSomalia,thefailureofvariousfactionstocooperatewithUNOSOM,
theextortion,blackmailandrobberytowhichtheinternationalreliefeffortwassubjectedandthe
repeatedattacksonthepersonnelandequipmentoftheUnitedNationsandotherreliefagencies.The
membersoftheCouncildiscussedtheSecretaryGeneral'sletterduringinformalconsultationson25
November.TheyexpressedtheviewthatthesituationinSomaliawasintolerableandaskedthe
SecretaryGeneraltopresentspecificrecommendationsonhowtheUnitedNationscouldremedythe
situation.
Inresponse,theSecretaryGeneralsubmittedtotheSecurityCouncilafurtherletter,dated29
November,inwhichheoutlined,fortheCouncil'sconsideration,fiveoptionsforcreatingconditionsfor
theuninterrupteddeliveryofsuppliestothestarvingpeopleofSomalia.TheSecretaryGeneralalso
informedtheCouncilofavisithereceivedon25NovemberfromMr.LawrenceEagleburger,thenActing
SecretaryofStateoftheUnitedStates,whoindicatedthat,shouldtheSecurityCouncildecideto
authorizeMemberStatestoensurethedeliveryofreliefsupplies,theUnitedStateswouldbereadyto
taketheleadinorganizingandcommandingsuchanoperation,inwhichanumberofotherMember
Stateswouldalsoparticipate.
AccordingtotheSecretaryGeneral'sletter,thefirstoptionwouldbetocontinueandintensifyeffortsto
deployUNOSOMinaccordancewithitsexistingmandate.Thesecondoptionsuggestedthattheidea
ofusinginternationalmilitarypersonneltoprotectreliefactivitiesbeabandoned,andthathumanitarian
agenciesmakethebestarrangementstheycouldwiththevariousfactionandclanleaders.However,
theSecretaryGeneralconsideredneitherofthesetwooptionstobeanadequateresponsetothecrisis.
Astotheotherthreeoptions,theSecretaryGeneralstatedthattheirpurposewouldbetoensure,ona
lastingbasis,thatthecurrentviolenceagainsttheinternationalreliefeffortwasbroughttoanend.The
firstofthosethreeoptionswouldbeforUNOSOMtroopstoundertakeashowofforceinMogadishuin
anattempttodiscouragethoseabusingthereliefefforts.However,theSecretaryGeneralcontended
thatacountrywideoperationwouldberequiredtohavethedesireddeterrenteffect.Thenextoption
wouldentailacountrywideactionbyagroupofMemberStatesauthorizedtodosobytheSecurity
Council.TheSecretaryGeneralmentionedinthisconnectiontheofferbytheUnitedStatestoorganize
andleadsuchanoperation.Insuchacase,theSecretaryGeneralwouldadvisetheCouncilandthose
MemberstakingpartintheoperationthattheyfindawaytorecognizetheSecurityCouncil'slegitimate
interestinthemannerinwhichitwascarriedout.Theremainingoptionwasalsoforacountrywide
enforcementaction,butonecarriedoutunderUnitedNationscommandandcontrol.Thiswouldbe
consistent,theSecretaryGeneralstated,withtherecentenlargementoftheOrganization'sroleinthe
maintenanceofinternationalpeaceandsecurity,andwouldstrengthenitslongtermevolutionasan
effectivesystemofcollectivesecurity.However,theUnitedNationsSecretariatdidnothavethe
capabilitytocommandandcontrolanenforcementoperationofthesizerequired.Heconcludedthat
therewasnoalternativebuttoresorttotheenforcementprovisionsunderChapterVIIoftheUnited
NationsCharter.

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TheSecretaryGeneralstressedthatwhetheranactionwastakenunderUnitedNationscommand,or
byMemberStateswithSecurityCouncilauthorization,itshouldbepreciselydefinedandlimitedintime,
"inordertopreparethewayforareturntopeacekeepingandpostconflictpeacebuilding".
CouncilAuthorizesUseofForce
On3December,theSecurityCounciladopted,unanimously,itsresolution794(1992),authorizingthe
useof"allnecessarymeanstoestablishassoonaspossibleasecureenvironmentforhumanitarian
reliefoperationsinSomalia".ActingunderChapterVIIoftheCharter,theCouncilauthorizedthe
SecretaryGeneralandtheparticipatingMemberStatestomakearrangementsfor"theunifiedcommand
andcontrol"ofthemilitaryforcesthatwouldbeinvolved.ItcalledonallMemberStatesthatwereina
positiontodosotoprovidemilitaryforcesandtomakecontributionsincashorinkind,andrequested
theSecretaryGeneraltoestablishafundthroughwhichthecontributionscouldbeappropriately
channelledtotheStatesoroperationsconcerned.
TheSecurityCouncilrequestedtheSecretaryGeneralandMemberStatescontributingtroopsto
establishappropriatemechanismsforcoordinationbetweentheUnitedNationsandtheirmilitaryforces,
andinvitedtheSecretaryGeneraltoattachasmallliaisonstaffofUNOSOMtothefieldheadquartersof
theunifiedcommand.Further,theCouncilrequestedtheSecretaryGeneralandtheStatesconcerned
toreportregularlytoitontheprogressinestablishingasecureenvironmentinSomalia.Itrequestedthe
SecretaryGeneraltosubmitaplantoensurethatUNOSOMwouldbeabletofulfilitsmandateuponthe
withdrawaloftheunifiedcommand.
AstotheUnitedNationspeacekeepingoperationinSomalia,theSecurityCouncildecidedthatthe
operationsandthefurtherdeploymentofthe3,500personnelofUNOSOM,authorizedbyresolution775
(1992)of28August,shouldproceedatthediscretionoftheSecretaryGeneralinthelightofhis
assessmentofconditionsontheground.
UNITAFDeployed
ThefirstelementsoftheUnifiedTaskForce(UNITAF),spearheadedbytheUnitedStates,were
deployedinMogadishuon9December1992.InthefollowingweeksUNITAFforcesexpandedtheir
operationstomajorreliefcentresinSomalia.UNITAF'sprincipalgoalwastoestablishinSomaliaa
secureenvironmentforurgenthumanitarianassistance.Oncethatwasaccomplished,themilitary
commandwouldthenbeturnedovertotheUnitedNations.Inthemeantime,UNOSOMremainedfully
responsibleforthepoliticalaspectsandforhumanitarianassistancetoSomalia.Goodcoordinationon
thegroundandatUnitedNationsHeadquarterswasestablishedbetweenUNITAFandtheUnited
Nations.UNOSOMremainedinthecapital,andcontinuedtoliaisewithUNITAFandplanforthe
transitiontonormalpeacekeepingfunctions.
[InadditiontotheUnitedStatesforces,UNITAFincludedmilitaryunitsfromAustralia,Belgium,
Botswana,Canada,Egypt,France,Germany,Greece,India,Italy,Kuwait,Morocco,NewZealand,
Nigeria,Norway,Pakistan,SaudiArabia,Sweden,Tunisia,Turkey,UnitedArabEmirates,United
KingdomandZimbabwe.]
On19December,theSecretaryGeneralpresentedtotheSecurityCouncilareportinwhichhe
describedactionstakentoimplementresolution794(1992)andsetouthisthinkingonanewmandate
forUNOSOMandthetransitionfromUNITAFtocontinuedpeacekeepingoperations.TheSecretary
GeneralrecommendedthattheCouncildeferitsdecisiononsuchatransitionuntilitbecameclear
whetherUNITAFhadachieveditsgoal.Hesuggestedthatitshouldawaittheestablishmentofa
ceasefire,thecontrolofheavyweapons,thedisarmingoflawlessgangsandthecreationofanew
policeforce.
InhisfurtherreporttotheCouncil,dated26January1993,theSecretaryGeneralcongratulatedUNITAF
forrapidlyandsuccessfullysecuringmajorpopulationcentresandensuringthathumanitarian
assistancewasdeliveredanddistributedwithoutimpediment.AstoUNOSOM,heindicatedthatits
majorpreoccupationatthatjuncturewastheplanningforthetransitionfromtheoperationsofUNITAF
toUNOSOMII.Theplanningexercise,theSecretaryGeneralpointedout,wasproceedingsmoothlyin
closecooperationandconsultationwiththeCommandofUNITAF.
PeaceAgreements

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Inthemeantime,theSecretaryGeneralconvenedaninformalpreparatorymeetingatECAheadquarters
inAddisAbabafrom4to15January1993,foranationalreconciliationconferenceenvisagedunder
UnitedNationsauspices.Atotalof14Somalipoliticalmovementstookpartinthemeeting,alongwith
theSecretariesGeneralofLAS,OAUandOICandtheChairmanoftheStandingCommitteeofthe
CountriesoftheHorn,aswellastherepresentativesofthecurrentChairmanoftheMovementofNon
AlignedCountries.
Thefollowingthreeagreementswereconcludedandsignedatthemeeting:(a)GeneralAgreementof8
January1993(b)Agreementonimplementingtheceasefireandonmodalitiesofdisarmamentand(c)
Agreementontheestablishmentofanadhoccommitteetohelpresolvethecriteriaforparticipationat,
andtheagendafor,theconferenceonnationalreconciliation,aswellasanyotherissuespendingfrom
theinformalmeeting.Amongotherthings,theinformalmeetingagreedontheconveningofa
conferenceonnationalreconciliationinAddisAbabaon15March1993.TheSomalipartiesrequested
theUnitedNations,inconsultationwiththerelevantregionalandsubregionalorganizations,toprovide
logisticsupportbothpriortoandduringtheconference.
TRANSITIONTOUNOSOMII
TransitionRecommended
On3March1993,theSecretaryGeneralsubmittedtotheSecurityCouncilareportcontaininghis
recommendationsforeffectingthetransitionfromUNITAFtoUNOSOMII(LINK).Heindicatedthat
sincetheadoptionofCouncilresolution794(1992)inDecember1992,UNITAFhaddeployed
approximately37,000troopsinsouthernandcentralSomalia,coveringapproximately40percentofthe
country'sterritory.ThepresenceandoperationsofUNITAFhadapositiveimpactonthesecurity
situationinSomaliaandontheeffectivedeliveryofhumanitarianassistance.Hepointedout,however,
thatdespitetheimprovement,asecureenvironmenthadnotyetbeenestablishedinSomaliaand
incidentsofviolencecontinuedtooccur.Therewasstillnoeffectivefunctioninggovernmentinthe
country,noorganizedcivilianpoliceforceandnodisciplinednationalarmedforce.Thesecuritythreatto
personneloftheUnitedNationsanditsagencies,UNITAF,ICRCandNGOswasstillhighinsome
areasofMogadishuandotherplacesinSomalia.Moreover,therewasnodeploymentofUNITAFor
UNOSOMtroopstothenortheastandnorthwest,oralongtheKenyanSomaliborder,wheresecurity
continuedtobeamatterofgraveconcern.
TheSecretaryGeneralconcluded,therefore,that,shouldtheSecurityCouncildeterminethatthetime
hadcomeforthetransitionfromUNITAFtoUNOSOMII,thelattershouldbeendowedwithenforcement
powersunderChapterVIIoftheUnitedNationsChartersoastobeabletoestablishasecure
environmentthroughoutSomalia.Tothatend,UNOSOMII,underthemandaterecommendedbythe
SecretaryGeneral,wouldseektocomplete,throughdisarmamentandreconciliation,thetaskbegunby
UNITAFfortherestorationofpeace,stability,lawandorder.Themandatewouldalsoempower
UNOSOMIItoprovideassistancetotheSomalipeopleinrebuildingtheireconomyandsocialand
politicallife,reestablishingthecountry'sinstitutionalstructure,achievingnationalpolitical
reconciliation,recreatingaSomaliStatebasedondemocraticgovernanceandrehabilitatingthe
country'seconomyandinfrastructure.
TheSecretaryGeneralestimatedthatitwouldbenecessarytodeployamilitarycomponentof20,000
allrankstocarryouttheassignedtasksandanadditional8,000personneltoprovidethelogistic
support.Inaddition,theUnitedStatesGovernmentagreedinprincipletoprovideatacticalquick
reactionforceinsupportoftheForceCommanderofUNOSOMII.UNOSOMIIwouldalsoinclude
civilianstaffofapproximately2,800individuals.TheSecretaryGeneralsuggested1May1993asthe
dateoftransferofbudgetaryandadministrativecontrolfromUNITAFtoUNOSOMII.Itwas
subsequentlydecidedthatthetransferofthemilitarycommandwouldtakeplaceon4May.
On5March1993,theSecretaryGeneralappointedAdmiralJonathanT.Howe(Ret.)oftheUnited
StatesashisnewSpecialRepresentativeforSomaliaforaninitialperiodofthreemonths,effective9
March1993.HewasaskedtooverseethetransitionfromUNITAFtoUNOSOMII,inadditionto
continuingthetasksof"promotingpoliticalreconciliation,coordinatinghumanitarianassistanceand
pavingthewayforrehabilitationandreconstructionofthecountry".Earlier,theSecretaryGeneralhad
appointedLieutenantGeneralevikBirofTurkeyasForceCommanderofUNOSOMII.
UNOSOMIIEstablished

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27.11.13

UNITED NATIONS OPERATION IN SOMALIA I (UNOSOM I) - Background (Full text)

On26March,theSecurityCouncil,actingunderChapterVIIoftheUnitedNationsCharter,adopted
resolution814(1993),bywhichitdecidedtoexpandthesizeandmandateofUNOSOMinaccordance
withtheSecretaryGeneral'srecommendations.ItauthorizedthemandatefortheexpandedUNOSOM
foraninitialperiodthrough31October1993.TheCouncildemandedthatallSomalipartiescomplyfully
withthecommitmentstheyhadundertaken,andinparticularwiththeAgreementonImplementingthe
CeasefireandonModalitiesofDisarmament,andthattheyensurethesafetyofthepersonnelofall
organizationsengagedinhumanitarianandotherassistancetoSomalia.AllStates,inparticular
neighbouringones,werecalledupontocooperateintheimplementationofthearmsembargo
establishedunderresolution733(1992).
Inotherprovisionsoftheresolution,theCouncilrequestedtheSecretaryGeneral,throughhisSpecial
Representative,andwithassistancefromallrelevantUnitedNationsentities,officesandspecialized
agencies,toprovidehumanitarianandotherassistancetothepeopleofSomaliainrehabilitatingtheir
politicalinstitutionsandeconomyandpromotingpoliticalsettlementandnationalreconciliation.Such
assistanceshouldincludeeconomicreliefandrehabilitationofSomalia,therepatriationofrefugeesand
displacedpersonswithinSomalia,thereestablishmentofnationalandregionalinstitutionsandcivil
administrationintheentirecountry,thereestablishmentofSomalipolice,mineclearanceandpublic
informationactivitiesinsupportoftheUnitedNationsactivitiesinSomalia.
ForinformationonfurtherUnitedNationsactivitiesinSomaliapleaseseeUNOSOMII

United Nations

Peacekeeping
PeaceandSecurity
UNHomePage

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