Letter to P. Mackay by Alexa McDonough

Hon. Peter MacKay Minister of Foreign Affairs Lester B. Pearson Bldg., A-10 125 Sussex Dr. Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2

9 March, 2007

Dear Minister MacKay,

I am writing to express my concern over the ongoing violence in Somalia. As you are aware, since late-2006, new divisions have appeared in the Somali political landscape with the rapid escalation of violence between the UN-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG), its Ethiopian allies, and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).

Competition between these rival political movements came to a head in December 2006, when, in the wake of a series of UIC military advances towards the seat of government in Baidoa, troops from Somalia’s traditional rival Ethiopia crossed the border in support of the Somali government and pushed the UIC out of Mogadishu and towards the Kenyan border. The United States launched air strikes against presumed terrorist targets during the UIC retreat, causing significant collateral damage to civilians and property.

The United Nations Security Council has recently called the Somali crisis a “threat to international peace and security” (S/RES/1725), drawing particular attention to increasing breaches by regional actors of the UN-imposed and monitored arms embargo on the country. Despite the government’s recent advances, the transitional government’s authority is thinly spread, and is now trying to impose its authority against the interests of over 20,000 armed Somalis and militarized political factions. The imminent withdraw of Ethiopian troops, while welcomed by many Somalis, will further undermine the ability of the interim government to assert its authority over these other armed elements.

Despite these major challenges, the current political climate in Somalia affords an unprecedented opportunity to build the legitimacy of Somalia’s nascent state structures and to bring much needed stability to this troubled region. The AU has recently mandated an inter-African force of up to 8,000 to support the transitional government and provide security for the capital, Mogadishu. Thousands of Ugandan, Ghanaian, Burundian and Nigerian troops have already been committed to this mission, with the financial backing of the EU and UN. These third-party troops are desperately needed to replace the provocative presence of Ethiopian troops as soon as possible.

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Canada lacks no shortage of reasons to become engaged with this crisis. First and foremost, the long-endured suffering of the people of Somalia demands greater international engagement to develop the legitimacy and capacity of the interim government to provide for peace and stability in Somalia. The latest UN appeal for $237 million in critical development funding for Somalia has attracted less than 2 percent of its requirements. Canada must lead where other countries have been reluctant to act. Additionally, the climate of impunity afforded by Somalia’s state collapse has severely undermined the ability of many Somalis to meet their basic needs – to food and physical security.

Given the need for immediate action, and the opportunity now presented to make a positive impact in the lives of millions of Somalis, I urge you to lead the international community in support of African initiatives to stabilize Somalia in the following ways:

• Fulfill Canada’s obligation to contribute 0.7% of GNI for development aid, to meet the commitment made under the Millennium development goals and in compliance with the unanimous motion adopted in Parliament on June 28, 2005;

• Contribute to the $237 million UN funding appeal for humanitarian assistance in Somalia;

• Support the deployment of an impartial AU peace-support mission to Somalia (AMISOM), matching leading contributions from the EU (15 million euro) and UN ($14 million), along with logistical support, equipment and training;

• Increase diplomatic engagement in the conflict through support for regional peace initiatives, particularly for the ongoing IGAD peace process;

• Demand the immediate cessation of all unilateral military action by the US and Ethiopia in Somalia; and

• Ensure the well-being of Canadians currently detained by the transitional government of Somalia, and • Report on actions taken by the Canadian government to secure their safe release.

After fifteen years of conflict, there is today a real opportunity for the international community to play a role in bringing peace and stability to the Somalia crisis. This is a political crisis that necessitates a sustained and broad peace effort if it is to be resolved. Canada can and must play a leading role in this essential effort. As such, I, along with 33,750 Somali-Canadians and other concerned citizens, look forward to your urgent reply and action.

Sincerely,

Alexa McDonough, MP Halifax NDP Foreign Affairs and International Development Critic