Histomunpositionpaper

Security Council Number 5 – Somalia 1992 China The Decision in Somalia

The decision in Somalia that the Security Council was concerned with in 1992 stems from a multitude of issues and is relevant globally in a variety of ways. The international community at this point in time was just beginning to shift their eyes towards the deteriorating state of Somalia due to the recent dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as well as the Bosnian War. Once credence was given to Somalia, it became very clear that United Nations presence, as well as that of many other international organizations, was not only advised but necessary. This issue is one that the international community as a whole was concerned with due to the state of humanitarian affairs in Somalia. The International Committee of the Red Cross found that in southern Somalia 40 percent of the people were severely malnourished and another 50 percent were moderately malnourished. Moreover, warring factions saw control of food as a military asset which prevented deliveries of food and other humanitarian relief supplies by the United Nations and bilateral aid agencies, as well as by NGO’s. Furthermore, there were a number of services and institutions integral to a functioning society that had collapsed during the deterioration of Somalia. Among these are non-functional water and sanitation systems, nonexistent local government, vacuous country schools, and a twenty-four percent rate of functioning hospitals and clinics, most of which did not have the medicines and equipment necessary. The United Nations is deeply involved in Somalia, particularly in the field of humanitarian assistance. In accordance with recommendations by Boutros BoutrosGhali the United Nations Security Council has passed two resolutions to help allay the issues in Somalia. On 23 January, the Security Council adopted Resolution 733 which urged all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities promote reconciliation and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, a “general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia” was imposed. Paralleling this is Resolution 746 which supported Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s decision to send a technical team to Somalia. General Aidid and Mr. Ali Madhi both signed agreements on 27 and 28 March, respectively, on processes to facilitate and monitor the cease-fire and equitably distribute humanitarian assistance and aid throughout Mogadishu. From this point, the United Nations was to send fifty military observers to Mogadishu (twenty-five to the North and twenty-five to the South) as well as an amount of security personnel to be decided on at a later date. Furtherance to the United Nations mandate was the recommendation to send five-hundred infantry to provide security for relief personnel, equipment and supplies at Mogadishu’s post and airport and to escort the relief supply convoys. China has long supported a level of international peace that affords all people of the world the same security that its citizens have. The situation in Somalia is one that requires assistance from the international community but requires commitment from the resident leaders to assure success. In light of this, China has supported paragraph five of Resolution 733 and issued a circular dated 3 January 1991, stipulating that all Chinese departments concerned and arms trade companies must stop delivering to Somalia any kind of military equipment and spare parts. As of 10 February 1992, the Chinese departments concerned have

strictly abided by the Chinese Government’s stipulations. The Chinese Government has strictly observed the provisions in paragraph six and has refrained from any action which might contribute to increasing tension and to impeding or delaying a peaceful and negotiated outcome to the conflict in Somalia. Due to such reasons as the turbulent situation in Somalia and since security is not guaranteed, the Chinese Government has not yet started its humanitarian assistance to Somalia. Pursuant to China’s commitment to international peace, China supports resolution 746 which will allay fears of a lack of security for humanitarian efforts in Somalia. China supports the deployment of a technical team to monitor efforts outlined in paragraphs seventy-three and seventy-four of the Secretary General’s report as outlined in paragraph six of the resolution. Should the technical team report an increased level of security in Somalia, and specifically Mogadishu, China will commence humanitarian aid pursuant to paragraph nine of Security Council Resolution 733. Should the cease-fire agreements be discovered to be noncompliant, China proposes a peacekeeping force be deployed in Somalia. China acknowledges the needs of the international community and the United Nations in regards to financial and military resources and pledges to commit an appropriate amount of resources to facilitate peaceful resolution of the conflict. China does not support unnecessary loss of life and resources and, as such, will require commitments of similar kind from no less then the other permanent members of the Security Council. A commitment of this kind from at least these five members will allay China’s reticence about involvement of this kind. China also requests additional agreements between Mr. Ali Madhi and General Aidid in regards to this situation and their continued commitment to its success. China recognizes the need for international involvement in the situation that is unfolding in Somalia but is reluctant to commit resources until such time as all prior requirements are met.