Sweden hosts Somalia conference

Swedish State Secretary of International Development Annika Söder

For years, the world seemed to ignore Somalia’s military and political battles. When the United States tried military intervention, it ended with a hasty retreat as clan warlords ordered dead American troops be dragged through the streets.

Now there is renewed interest in trying to find a settlement and see the creation of a viable government. It’s fuelled by fears of a country without a real government becoming the perfect hiding place for terrorists and fanatics. Then there are worries over the conflict spreading beyond Somalia's borders - and the river of illegal arms flowing into the country, despite a UN weapons embargo.

Attending a meeting this week at the Swedish Foreign Ministry in Stockholm, were representatives of the International Contact Group on Somalia. Swedish State Secretary of International Development Annika Söder told Radio Sweden’s Bill Schiller what she hoped could be accomplished:

“To send a strong signal from the international community from the talk between the UIC and the transitional institutions that will hopefully take place later this week. To send a strong signal that, in order for the Somali people to get a decent life, they will have to agree on how to run the country and to find a way to share power in the Federation and at regional levels.”

A future donor conference organised by Italy and Sweden and promising money is planned for Rome – but only when it looks like there is a realistic possibility of supporting a Somali government. When will this take place?

A long shot of an abandoned Mogadishu Street known as the "Green Line". Foliage has grown up along the sidewalk on both sides of the street. An abandoned, burned out car is seen in the center of the frame.

“We have been very optimistic for a long time now. Unfortunately, the situation is very blurred and it is difficult to tell when, but it is important to send a signal to the Somalis and the parties in the conflict that we are ready to contribute as soon as possible through a political solution.”

The civil war has been all but ignored by the world for many years - who is concerned now and what is happening in Somalia?

“There is a big engagement by the UN Security Council and the members of the UN Security Council are here today. Also in the region itself, in the Horn of Africa and the Africa Union, they are all engaged and they are here to try to solve the problem. I believe they are here because they are worried over the risk of a regional conflict.

There is already an international weapons embargo - and yet weapons are coming into the country. Human rights violations continue. What can be done in the meantime, before such a conference takes place or before a stable government is created?

Aerial view of the Port of Mogadishu. Three cargo ships, large, medium and small sized vessels are moored to the docks

“Unfortunately security concerns do not allow for any monitoring of the arms embargo. So what we can do is send very strong signals on how to proceed politically when it comes to stopping the political interference from other parties in the conflict.”

Is there any disagreement in this collection of nations meeting here in Stockholm?

“There are so many different interests that it would be very strange if we had full harmony - and that would not be productive either. We have very good discussions and even if there is not always a meeting of minds, its useful and in the end it will benefit Somalia.”

Söder and her colleagues agree that the volatile situation on the Horn of Africa cannot be settled by sending in foreign troops, African or otherwise. This could ignite an already volatile crisis.

In the meantime, relief work is being carried out by non-government organisations supported by a number of Western nations including Sweden. Doctors, nurses and foreign aid workers are in place but on a small scale and greatly hindered by the lack of security or future guarantees. They work in a unique situation where no national authority exists and may not exist for a long time to come.