Humanitarian agencies lauded for standing with Somalia

UN official visits IDP camp in Baidoa, Southwest State of Somalia in May 2019 [Photo: UNSOM]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Various humanitarian groups have been lauded for always standing with Somalia, a country that has struggled with political instability and insurgency for decades, following the ouster of dictator Siad Barre about three decades ago.

Even at the advent of independence, Somalia has depended on the international community, which has often helped run successive governments, including but not limited to the payment of salaries for civil servants and many departments.

In the 1960s and 70s, notes Hassan Haji, a former federal MP, Somalia heavily depended on former colonizers Britain and Italy for development, before changing focus to the defunct USSR, now the republic of Russia.

"Without the international community, we would ha e significantly struggled to run the country, not just helping in emergencies such as floods and drought. We had Britain, Italy, and now UN agencies which have been helping us," he said in a Twitter Space discussion hosted by the Garowe Online.

In recent years, he noted, various humanitarian agencies have been helping Somalia on matters development, significantly switching off from emergencies in yesteryears according to the former federal MP.

"We are now having humanitarian agencies and international groups focusing on development in Somalia, " he said. " This is a total contrast from the past where they only focused on emergencies in health, roads, food, and other important sectors. "

For Matt Bryden, the founder of the Sahan Research group, the international community has been very helpful in shaping the security of the country, which has been a key target from terror groups and politicians who have been accused of destabilizing the country.

"We give credit to groups such as the UN and the African Union through AMISOM. They have stood with Somalia through thick and thin. It's my wish that they help the country get stabilized after years of political chaos and insurgency," added the Canadian.

Further, he appreciated the roles played by neighboring countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, and Burundi, which directly contribute troops for peacekeeping missions in Somalia. He said such countries need special recognition.

The renowned researcher, however, raised concerns about a number of Gulf nations with competing interests in Somalia, arguing that their continued meddling in Somalia's internal affairs is not healthy. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates were some of the countries he cited.

For instance, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have been wrestling for the control of Somalia and their competing interests have been manifested in the war against Al-Shabaab, development programs, humanitarian aid in the health sector, floods, and even drought.

GAROWE ONLINE