The United Nations wants the international community to re-engage in Somalia to take advantage of a “window of opportunity”, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Eric Laroche, said, according to IRINnews Thursday.
– The people are war-weary after more than 15 years of conflict, instability and insecurity, said Laroche.
A western diplomat involved in Somalia, who requested anonymity, told IRIN that although the timing may not be perfect, re-engagement must begin now and the UN is right to take the lead.
He said the UN may have “some problems in the beginning but that should not stop the initiative.”
Some of the programmes expected to take priority were back-to-school programmes, sanitation, income-generation activities and resettling internally displaced people, most of whom occupy government buildings, and the demobilisation and reintegration of militias.
– If we don’t act quickly though, this opportunity may pass. It’s imperative that we act now so as not to lose the momentum for reconciliation that currently exists in Somalia, Laroche said.
In the capital, Mogadishu, civil society welcomed the UN’s call, saying “the time was right”.
– Their [UN] presence will contribute to stability and reconciliation and will help the economy, said a source.
– We need to create employment for the thousands of young unemployed in Mogadishu. If they are not given an alternative to the gun, they will return to it, with all the consequences that entails.
Kilde: www.irinnews.org
