By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 4 -- On the Somalia resolution pending in the UN Security Council, the European "cheapness" on which Inner City Press reported November 1 continues, even as the November 7 extended expiration of the mandate of the AMISON mission approaches.
As issue is proposed Operative Paragraph 5 of the draft, which says the Security Council
"Expresses its intention to review AMISOM's authorised tasks as provided for in paragraph 1 of this resolution within four months ofthe date of this resolution and no longer than six months, including reassessing the utility of a maritime component."
African and other members of the Security Council have asked the European members why they are adverse to paying for the Kenyan naval component which, even outside of AMISOM and its ostensible human rights standards, help drive Al Shabaab out of Kismayo.
The responses have ranged from wanting more information about the maritime component -- one source counters, it's a little late, isn't it? -- to not wanting the Kenyan Navy to take over from the Europeans' own anti-piracy Operation ATALANTA. Click here for previous Inner City Press coverage of that.
An African diplomatic source told Inner City Press, "It seems the Europeans don't want their parliaments to see that the fight against piracy could be done better and cheaper than they are doing it."
Another compared this standoff to past reimbursements, including depreciation, to Germany for its ships off Lebanon in the UNIFIL mission.
The United States, whose Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman was as of Friday rumored to be on the way to Mogadishu, is said to oppose another paragraph, OP 10, which would say the Security Council
"welcomes support to AMISOM by the African Union's partners, especially through the European Union's African Peace Facility, but notes the limited resources of this facility in the context of AMISOM' s mandate renewal, underlines the importance of predictable and sustainable funding for AMISOM, as called for by the AU, and requests the Secretary General, in consultation with the AU, to include in his upcoming review options and recommendations for AMISOM's funding."
African members have asked, what's wrong with at least at least studying this?
On the Somalia arms embargo, a concern has arisen the lifting the embargo might help Somaliland and Puntland become more independent. On the charcoal sales, the draft would have the Council noting the "intention of the Somali authorities to study this unique situation further, and expressing its willingness to take further action, if appropriate and in consultation with the Somali authorities, to address this situation."
On November 2, this month's Security Council president Hardeep Singh Puri of India told Inner City Press he doesn't like "kicking the can down the road." Watch this site.
