Singapore Presidency of Security Council
Political developments
- The TNG publicly accused Ethiopia of disregarding Somalia"s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence by supplying arms and ammunition to opposition groups as well as direct military engagement. Ethiopia has denied the allegations.
- On 1 April, the Chairman of the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA), Hassan Mohamed Nur "Shatigudud," was nominated as President of a new regional administration: "The Southwestern Regional State of Somalia" comprising six regions: Bay, Bakool, Gedo, Lower Shabelle and Middle and Lower Juba.
- Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, the "President of Somaliland," died on 3 May following surgery in South Africa. "Somaliland"s Parliament" inaugurated "Vice President" Dahir Riyale Kahin, as the new "President", pursuant to the terms of the "Somaliland Constitution".
- In Puntland, Col. Abdullahi Yusuf"s forces recaptured Bossaso on 8 May from militia loyal to his opponent, Jama Ali Jama.
IGAD peace process
- During the Khartoum Summit in January 2002, the IGAD Heads of State adopted a resolution by consensus on the question of national reconciliation in Somalia. The resolution called for the coordination of efforts among Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya under the supervision of the IGAD Chairman and the holding of a Somalia reconciliation conference in Nairobi within two months, with President Moi as coordinator. An IGAD Ministerial Committee was to prepare the agenda for the conference. The Summit also called on the international community to join IGAD in its efforts to establish peace in Somalia.
- The IGAD Technical Committee (IGAD-TC) on Somalia, comprising the Frontline States (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya) and the IGAD Secretariat, met in Nairobi from 3 to 5 April to discuss the terms of reference for the Somalia Reconciliation Conference. Ethiopian and Kenyan representatives visited Somalia from 17 to 20 April and held talks in Bosasso, Hargeisa, Galkaiyo, Mogadishu, and Baidoa. Djibouti declined to join the mission arguing that not enough preparation was made for it.
- The IGAD Partner"s Forum (IPF) on 11 April supported IGAD"s efforts to prepare for the Somalia Reconciliation Conference. The IPF urged further cooperation among the Frontline States to ensure the success of the conference, as well as the active participation of all Somali parties, without preconditions. The IPF commended the Security Council"s Presidential Statement of 28 March (S/PRST/2002/8).
- The sub-committee of the IGAD-TC announced on 22 May that it had deferred a second visit to Somalia until the IGAD Heads of States had the opportunity of meeting later this month in Addis Ababa during the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit.
United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)
- RSG Tubman assumed office at UNPOS on 5 April. He has met with a wide spectrum of Somali leaders and representatives of the Somali community in Nairobi and liaised with the IGAD-TC and the diplomatic community.
- On 22 May, he traveled to Hargeisa to meet with the new "President" Kahin and proceeded to Baidoa to meet with Somali leaders including Hassan Mohamed Nur "Shatigadud".
Security
- Inter-clan fighting between Marehan sub-clans in Belet Hawa in Gedo region has been ongoing since 10 April. An estimated 40 people were killed, many more injured and 10,000 to 15, 000 crossed into Kenya near Mandera.
- On 28 April, a UNDP National Officer, Mohamed Ali Aborkor, was kidnapped in Mogadishu. Effort for his release is continuing. On 7 May, the UN suspended all activities in urban Mogadishu until he is released.
Humanitarian situation
- Civilians in Gedo, where some 200,000 people have already been affected by drought, face acute difficulties as a result of recent fighting.
- On 8 May, Puntland authorities instructed UN, EC and NGO personnel who evacuated from Bossaso to stay away from Puntland until further notice.
- Only 14.86 per cent of funding requirements through the Inter- Agency Consolidated Appeal (CAP) has been met as of the CAP mid-year review.
Economy
- Following the negative impact of the closure of Al Barakaat, consumer prices, exchange rates, the flow of remittances and the private sector have stabilized. Crop production is expected to improve.
