After the end of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the United States emerged as a unipolar power since 1990. A unipolar world is when one country dominates the majority of the world in terms of military power, economic power, and social and cultural influence. This was when many countries, such as the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia, and Sudan, broke into parts.

From 1990 to 2008, if you had the United States on your side, dividing a country and joining the United Nations was easier than it is now.

In 2011, South Sudan became the last independent country to join the United Nations as a result of a 2005 agreement that ended one of Africa’s longest civil wars. Montenegro joined the UN in 2006, and East Timor in 2002. However, Kosovo was unable to get this opportunity in 2008.

The Russian Federation (which has close ties with Serbia) has rejected the declaration and considers it illegal, and does not recognize Kosovo’s independence. In May 2008, Russia, China, and India released a joint statement calling for new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.

In reality, however one may believe Indeed, that Somaliland independence is unrealistic at the moment and that the truth must come out, but if Somaliland wants to improve its position within Somalia and intends to act like killing two birds with one stone, then this is may be bit understandable strategy

Ahmed Siad
December 16, 2024

Somalia’s mandates extended for two years. The Council today decided to prolong the mandate of the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA and of the EU’s military training mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) until 28 February 2027, adding to its decision of 5 December to prolong the mandate of theEU’s civilian capacity-building mission (EUCAP Somalia) until the same date. These decisions were taken following the holistic strategic review of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) engagement in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, with the aim to strengthen the EU’s response to an evolving security context and to enhance its role as a maritime security provider.At the same time, the Council updated the mandate of Operation ATALANTA to enhance maritime security off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden, the West Indian Ocean and parts of the Red Sea, and better support building a wider regional maritime security architecture. With the new mandate, the operation will continue to fight piracy and reduce illicit trafficking at sea. Synergies with the maritime operation ASPIDES, currently protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea, will be enhanced. In parallel, the Maritime Security Centre (MSC) Horn of Africa, supporting both ATALANTA and ASPIDES, is being rebranded as MSC Indian Ocean, and its role is being reinforced. In Somalia, the EU’s CSDP action was widened to support the build-up of Somali Security Forces and institutions with the view to take over responsibility for its own security in the future, in line with the Joint EU-Somalia Roadmap. With the renewed mandates, EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia will support the build-up of capable, sustainable, and accountable Somali securityinstitutions through strategic advice, mentoring and training, accompanied by EU-funded equipment support through the EuropeanPeace Facility. To strengthen the regional approach, the missions and the operation will support capacity-building efforts of theregional and, in particular, Djibouti maritime security forces within their means and capabilities.In order to uphold the EU’s core values, all activities will pay particular attention to international humanitarian law, human rights,preventing gender-based violence, protecting children in armed conflicts, and promoting the agenda of women, peace andsecurity and climate, security and defence.BackgroundOperation ATALANTA. Since its establishment in late 2008 in response to the rising levels of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean, Operation ATALANTAhas significantly contributed to the suppression of piracy, as well as the protection of the vessels of the World Food Programme(WFP), African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and other international vulnerable shipping. The operation deters, prevents, and when needed represses acts of piracy, thus reducing the threat to the international maritime community. Additionally, the Operation has monitored the fishing activities off the coast of Somalia (outside Somali territorial sea) and supported other EUCSDP missions and international organisations working to strengthen maritime security and capacities in the region.EUCAP SomaliaLaunched in July 2012 as EUCAP Nestor, EUCAP Somalia currently contributes to advising, training and equipping the Federal Somali Police Force to contribute to the gradual establishment of the Rule of Law in Somalia. In addition, EUCAP Somalia assists Somalia in strengthening its maritime security capacity in order to enable it to enforce maritime law more effectively. EUCAPSomalia cooperates with EUTM Somalia to contribute to the development of the Somali Navy and Coast Guard, in relation to civilian coast guard functions. EUTM Somalia EUTM Somalia implements its mandate utilizing a three-pillar approach that focuses on training, mentoring, and the provision of strategic advice to the Somali National Armed Forces. Throughout the years, the EU training mission has refocused its tasks and sets out to support the internal development of specialised functions such as leadership, command & control, counter-IED, medical care, and logistics. EUTM Somalia contributes to an intensive training programme at the General Daghabadan Training Center near Mogadishu. In close cooperation with the European Peace Facility, EUTM Somalia provides advice on Somali National Armed Forces needs and training courses for new equipment.

EUTM Somalia website

EUCAP Somalia website

ATALANTA website

Press office – General Secretariat of the Council of the EURue de la Loi 175 – B-1048 BRUSSELS – Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319press@consilium.europa.eu – w.consilium.europa.eu/press

WDM EDITORIAL

None of the existing phone companies can link up or communicate with any of the others. Even warlords in the height of the Somali Civil War could communicate with each other on common issues. The problem of telecoms here is exacerbated when you have air money (electronic money) to pay for goods and services because the merchant you are dealing with uses a different phone company that doesn’t accept your payment. It is like trying to use a credit card that isn’t acceptable to a restaurant or a shop owner as frustrating and inconvenient as it may be to you. It doesn’t make any business sense for some of one’s potential customers to be locked out of the network.

A government also exists as a regulatory body. But when its leaders are corrupt, telecompanies bribe them to keep the status quo. This is exactly what is happening here. As an example, when I was requested to help officials of Villa Somalia years back for only ten days because they needed my expertise badly at the time, phone companies in Mogadishu started competing for my attention. I turned down all their bribing attempts. They tried to offer me free expensive smartphones to start with. They were disappointed in me. So be it.

You could think that Somalia wouldn’t be fixed until telecom problems of lack of interconnectivity is resolved. Until then we will be dealing with the uncompromising technology warlords of modern telecommunications in this country, and it implies that Somalia is a long way to heal to achieve the elusive peace and prosperity we all aspire to.

(This editorial was drafted today on the go on a rough road from Eyl/Baddey to Garowe, Puntland State  capital City).