Somalia

Background

Somalia has been without effective national government since the overthrow of the Siyad Barre regime in 1991. In 2004, a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) incorporating most armed non-State actor (NSA) leaders was established, but the TFG has remained weak despite Ethiopia’s military backing and the international community’s diplomatic support. Following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia in early 2009, Islamist insurgents captured much of the south and central regions. In the northwest, Somaliland, which unilaterally declared independence in 1991, does not recognize the TFG - nor is its own claim of independence recognized by any State. In 2007, Somaliland troops captured the disputed town of Las Anod after fierce fighting against the neighbouring autonomous region of Puntland.

Somalia is affected by anti-personnel (AP) mines and explosive remnants of war as a result of a series of international and non-international armed conflicts that have been ongoing for several decades. Except for Somaliland and, to a lesser extent, Puntland, no comprehensive mine action is being conducted in the southern and central regions.

Activities

Geneva Call has been engaging Somali NSAs in an AP mine ban since 2002. To date, 17 factions and local authorities signed the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines:

• Banadiri, 2002.
• the Hiran Patriotic Alliance/Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (HPA/SRRC), 2002.
• the Jowhar Administration, 2002.
• the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA), 2005.
• the Puntland State of Somalia, 2002.
• the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA)/SRRC
  (faction of Col. Hassan Mohamed Nur “Shatigudud”), 2002.
• the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA)/SRRC
  (faction of Sheikh Adan “Madobe”), 2002.
• the Somali African Muki Organization (SAMO)/SRRC/Nakuru, 2002.
• the Somali National Front (SNF)/SRRC, 2002.
• the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM)/SRRC
  (faction of General Aden Abdullahi Nur “Gabyow”), 2002.
• the Southern Somali National Movement (SSNM)/BIREM, 2002
• the United Somali Congress/Somali National Alliance (USC/SNA)/SRRC, 2002.
• the Southern Somali National Movement (SSNM)/SNA/SRRC, 2002.
• the Transitional National Government (TNG), 2002.
• the USC/North Mogadishu/SRRC, 2002.
• the USC/SNA/SRRC/Nakuru, 2002.
• the USC/Somali Salvation Army (SSA), 2002.
  
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Continued fighting and insecurity have made implementation and monitoring of the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines particularly challenging, especially in the southern and central regions. However, Geneva Call has been able to conduct follow up missions to all areas under signatories’ control, including a field verification visit to Puntland to address allegations of AP mine acquisition from Ethiopia. With technical assistance from the the Puntland authorities subsequently began the destruction of their stockpiles. Geneva Call also facilitated the deployment of international demining NGOs to some regions of Somalia as well as the development of a Somalia Coalition to Ban Landmines (SOCBAL). In addition, the organization initiated dialogue with the Islamist militants on the AP mine ban. Geneva Call has also worked with the (IPRT) to assist the Parliament of Somaliland in drafting and adopting legislation prohibiting the use and possession of this weapon.

For further information:

Geneva Call and IPRT (Institute for Practical Training and Research), 2009, , Press Release, 5 March.

Geneva Call and PMAC (Puntland Mine Action Center), 2009, , Press Release, 22 June.

Geneva Call, MAG, and PMAC, 2008, , Press Release, 24 July.

Geneva Call, 2007, [], Press Release, 27 November.

Geneva Call, 2007, [], Press Release, 30 September.

Geneva Call, 2007, , Press Release, 4 April.

News 24, 2005, , 24 October.

IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Network), 2004, , 3 December.

Pascal Bongard, 2004, , Report of the Geneva Call follow-up mission to Puntland, Hiran and Bakol regions, 15-24 September.

Geneva Call, 2004, , Press Release, 8 October.

Geneva Call, 2002, , Press Release, 12 November.