Seminar: Den politiske og humanitære situation i Somalia

TIME: Wednesday, 28 September, 13.15 – 14.45

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, The Auditorium, Strandgade 71, stuen, Christianshavn, 1401 København K

TIME: Wednesday, 28 September, 13.15 – 14.45

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, The Auditorium, Strandgade 71, stuen, Christianshavn, 1401 København K

With the accession of Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali as Prime Minister in June 2011, a new hope of the end of the conflict in Somalia was created. Earlier in September at a gathering in Mogadishu, the first dialog between the countries various regional units – Puntland, Ahlu Sunna, Wal Jamma and Galmudug, was facilitated with the goal of discussing the way forward between the transitional governments and parliament.

So far, the transitional government has only controlled a smaller number of districts in Mogadishu, protected by the peace keeping mission of the African Union (AMISOM). Large parts of Mogadishu and the Southern Somalia have been dominated by the radical Islamic movement Al Shabab. In August Al Shabab announced the withdrawal of their forces from the frontline in Mogadishu.

The involved parties and the international community are closely following this development, as we have seen similar moves ealier, where the movement merely prepared new offensives or heightened their use of suicide bombers. A number of clan-based units have hence remained in Mogadishu, thus maintaining the problematic security situation.

The UN estimates that aprox. 12,5 million people on Africa’s Horn are affected by drought and conflicts, and have need for immediate humanitarian aid. The areas affected are mainly Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia, which are hit by a long lasting drought, which is expected to worsen during the remainder of 2011. The situation is worst in Somalia, where the ongoing conflict makes it increasingly difficult to reach the people in need.

As a consequence of the drought, several areas in the Southern and Central Somalia have been declared famine-stricken, and it may be expected that all of Southern Somalia will be struck by famine during 2011. Somalia is also home to far reaching piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, which have developed into threat to international shipping and exposes sailors to great physical harm. The Piracy has led to a massive rise in insurance premiums, thus causing a rise in trade costs to Eastern Africa, which in these years is experiencing positive economic development. The Piracy is not least a problem for a small seafaring nation as Denmark.

Denmark provides broad engagement in Somalia, which ranges from active diplomacy, development aid and humanitarian aid to naval efforts.

Presenter: Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali

Moderator: Professor Emeritus Holger Bernt Hansen (University of Copenhagen)

The seminar will be held in English.
Participation is free. Registration is not required.