UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / - 21 April 2008 -- Like a number of African nations, Somalia is feeling the devastating effects of a drought that has disrupted agriculture and fueled fighting. Over the first three months of the year, Somalia faced temperatures elevated well above normal and abnormally arid winds.

In addition, there has also been renewed conflict between Ethiopian/Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops and opposition forces. Over the weekend, intense clashes in Mogadishu caused casualties among civilians.

Recently, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that it had not anticipated the speed with which the drought, and its consequences, have destabilized Somalia . The violence has affected much of south-central Somalia and does not seem likely to abate in the near future.

The Secretary-General said today that he “urges parties to the conflict in Mogadishu to refrain from the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force that endangers the lives of civilians, particularly in heavily populated civilian areas, and reminds them that any targeting of non-combatants is a violation of international law.”

The recent increase in fighting has the potential to create a dire situation for up to two million Somalis who are dependent on aid from the UN and its partners. The rise in clashes has been jeopardizing these humanitarian operations, which are crucial in a country that has been without a viable government for more than fifteen years.

According to a UN news report, there are about 425,000 Somalis surviving under conditions of humanitarian emergency and around 745,000 more have been driven from their homes in recent months. Huge inflation in food prices, 300 to 400 percent in some cases, and the depreciation of the Somali currency have contributed as well to the dangerous disintegration of the situation there.

The fighting has also endangered the chances for the negotiation of a peaceful solution and the reestablishment of stability in Somalia . Special Representative Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah expressed today his belief that, “It is unjustifiable for such violence to erupt particularly when both the Transitional Federal Government [TFG] and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia have courageously expressed their willingness to talk about peace and reconciliation.”

“I once again appeal to everyone to accelerate efforts to restore stability and unity and stop the violence which is bringing only misery and destruction to the people of Somalia ,” he continued.

Among the other countries negatively impacted by the drought have been Djibouti , Ethiopia , Eritrea , and Kenya , which likewise is facing unrest in part due to the exceptionally dry conditions.  

--Caroline Patton

Labels: United Nations, U.N.

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