Oxfam called on governments meeting at the London Somalia Conference tomorrow to develop a coherent strategy towards the country that shifts away from the emphasis on short term security and anti-terror concerns, and towards a long term engagement that prioritises the interests of ordinary Somalis.
Oxfam called on governments meeting at the London Somalia Conference tomorrow to develop a coherent strategy towards the country that shifts away from the emphasis on short term security and anti-terror concerns, and towards a long term engagement that prioritises the interests of ordinary Somalis.
In the briefing note A Shift in Focus – putting the interests of Somali people first, Oxfam said at times international policies towards Somalia have been inconsistent, with support for state building and military interventions exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country, undermining the international community’s own relief efforts.
 |
| More than six months after the UN declared a famine, Somalia is still in the throes of its worst humanitarian crisis in decades. |
“It is time for a new vision of engagement that meets Somalis’ immediate and future needs, while providing the space for a negotiated peace process that puts Somalia on the road to recovery. Those attending the London Somalia conference must seize this opportunity and help start the process to address the causes of the conflict in Somalia and put the interests and aspirations of the Somali people centre stage,” said Barbara Stocking, Chief Executive of Oxfam Great Britain.
The London conference is an opportunity to stake out a new approach to Somalia by shifting the emphasis away from security concerns and taking practical steps towards an inclusive political solution to the conflict and crisis. Sustained international aid is essential, both to save lives now and to help the Somali people rebuild their future, but to be effective this must be kept clearly separate from any political and security efforts.
Although responsibility for Somalia’s decades long crisis lies first and foremost with factions inside the country, international engagement has at times made matters worse. For many governments involved in Somalia, current military action is seen as improving security and stability, both in neighbouring countries and in Somalia itself, but reports from inside the country tell a different story.
Population tracking reports show nearly half of people displaced in January were fleeing insecurity, largely from areas seeing a return to armed conflict. Camps where civilians have sought refuge have been struck by warring factions on opposing sides, along with hospitals, a feeding centre and more than one aid agency compound.
Aid agencies offering life-preserving assistance have also faced obstructions from warring factions on both sides of the conflict in trying to reach those in need.
Oxfam said the success of the London Somalia conference will be judged on whether it results in:
- Governments from the region, the West and the Islamic world using their influence with various parties to the conflict to enable civilians to have greater access to humanitarian assistance;
- Action taken to ensure political and security strategies do not undermine humanitarian assistance;
- Priority given to non-militarised and sustainable solutions to the conflict and humanitarian crisis, in particular through ensuring a wide section of the Somali population is engaged in the process of developing these solutions.
