The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on a « solidarity visit » to Somalia on Tuesday, invited the international community to mobilize massively to come to the aid of this East African country which is facing two major challenges, including historic drought and terrorism.
Coming to “sound the alarm” about the situation Somalia is going through, Guterres said that “the combination of terrorism and drought, caused in large part by climate change, creates the perfect conditions (for a crisis) and requires massive support from the international community.
According to him, « although Somalis hardly contribute to climate change (…) they are among the greatest victims ».
The UN estimates that around half of Somalia’s population is expected to need humanitarian assistance this year, with 8.3 million people affected by drought. Unfortunately, the appeal for humanitarian aid is often funded below expectations. Which makes Guterres say that “the international community has been distracted by the drama of the Somali people”.
The UN chief visited a camp for displaced people in Baidoa, where he spoke with hosted families. “What is dramatic is that there have been five consecutive years of drought. The people I met lost their livestock, they lost their belongings, they lost everything,” he lamented.
On terrorism, Guterres praised the government’s initiative to wage a merciless war on Al-Shabbab group, which has already led to the neutralization of more than 3,000 fighters of the terrorist movement and the liberation of 70 towns and villages. .
“First of all, I am encouraged by the fact that we now have the capacity of the Somalis to gradually increase their ability to liberate areas from the Shabaab, they have already done so in other parts of the territory. I hope they will be able to do it here as well,” the UN chief explained.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud welcomed Guterres’ visit, which « demonstrates that the United Nations is fully committed to supporting our plans for state building and stabilization of the country. »
By OMA Newsletter N° 1126 of 11/04/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
