UNSC: U/SYG HOLMES ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000410 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. FOR IO, PRM AND AF; USAID FOR DCHA AND AFR; GENEVA FOR RMA; ROME FOR RNEWBERG; NSC FOR PMARCAHM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PHUM PREF SO UG SUBJECT: UNSC: U/SYG HOLMES ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SOMALIA AND UGANDA -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) On May 21 John Holmes, UN Under Secretary General (U/SYG) for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed an open session of the Security Council following his recent mission to Somalia and Uganda. Holmes expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Somalia, where recent violence in Mogadishu has exacerbated precarious conditions and created significant additional displacement. On Uganda Holmes expressed cautious optimism at resumed negotiations with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and limited progress in addressing the large-scale displacement in northern Uganda. Council members expressed no dissension regarding the worrying humanitarian conditions in Somalia, with many pressing for increased access for relief agencies and further reconciliation efforts to solidify the current fragile stability. Council members also expressed support for the ongoing negotiations between the Government of Uganda and the LRA, but recognized that significant humanitarian needs still exist. ¶2. (SBU) On May 22, U/SYG Holmes briefed the New York Humanitarian Liaison Working Group (HLWG) on the same topics, reiterating much the same message but providing additional, more frank impressions to the closed group. Holmes was generally pessimistic about the situation in Somalia, including the Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) lack of openness to a more inclusive political dialogue. On Uganda, Holmes reported to the HLWG that while he currently sees an opportunity to resolve one of the worst humanitarian situations in Africa, outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants for LRA leaders represent a significant obstacle. -------------- Somalia -------------- ¶3. (U) Holmes described his Somalia mission as an opportunity to assess the humanitarian situation first-hand and to discuss with authorities key issues including access, the protection of civilians, and the security of humanitarian operations. Due to long-standing security restrictions, his visit was the fist high-level UN presence in Somalia since the early 1990s. Holmes had intended to spend two days in Somalia, visiting both Mogadishu and Jowhar, but roadside bombs along his planned route prompted UN security to cut short his visit in Mogadishu and cancel travel to Jowhar. Homes stressed in his statement to the UNSC and to the HLWG that he does not believe the attacks were directed at him, but rather meant as a general message of continuing defiance by elements opposed to the TFG. ¶4. (U) While some of the nearly 400,000 people displaced by the late April fighting in Mogadishu have returned, Holmes emphasized that the vast majority has not moved back to the city. Factors inhibiting large-scale return include continued fear of violence, warnings by the TFG to internally displaced persons (IDPs) not to return to public buildings in Mogadishu, and the fact that many homes were destroyed. Holmes stated that many of those displaced by the recent fighting continue to live in the open and some have resorted to renting space under trees for shelter. ¶5. (SBU) In the Security Council Holmes noted some progress in the last few weeks on humanitarian access, due in part to increased cooperation from TFG authorities. However, Holmes stressed, current levels of assistance cannot meet the needs, pockets of south and central Somalia remain inaccessible, and obstacles to humanitarian access continue. Holmes reported that during his visit he urged TFG President Yusuf and Prime Minister Gedhi to facilitate relief efforts, including by establishing better liaison mechanisms with the humanitarian community. Holmes also urged TFG authorities to apply more control over armed groups manning checkpoints, many of whom extort payment for passage, and to minimize visa and customs requirements for humanitarian agencies. Holmes reported to the HLWG that he does not feel his appeals to the TFG USUN NEW Y 00000410 002 OF 003 received much attention and that the TFG displayed a troubling level of suspicion regarding the role of international humanitarian actors. ¶6. (SBU) Holmes reiterated concern about "severe breaches of International Humanitarian Law" during the recent fighting, citing the indiscriminate use of force in civilian areas. He also noted concern over reported human rights abuses, including abductions, arbitrary detention, deportation, and unlawful killings. Holmes reported that President Yusuf rejected any allegations of TFG involvement in such activity, but that Yusuf did accept a proposed visit to Somalia by the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR). In the HLWG, Holmes questioned whether the TFG knew what they had agreed to, but he stressed the importance of holding the TFG to its commitment. ¶7. (U) Holmes concluded his discussion on Somalia in the Security Council by reiterating the UN's deep concern for the humanitarian situation, and he called on the international community to remain focused and engaged. Holmes described increased relief efforts by UNICEF and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),as well as a ten million dollar contribution from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). He called on donors to increase their response, including through additional support to NGOs working in Somalia. -------------- Uganda -------------- ¶8. (U) Holmes presented a more encouraging picture on Uganda, describing an opportunity to resolve the long-standing crisis through support to the Juba process, continuing humanitarian aid, and assistance for the transition from relief to recovery. Holmes reported that the humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected districts of northern Uganda is improving, in line with increased security due to the current ceasefire. Up to three quarters of the IDPs in some areas have returned home. However, 1.6 million people remain in camps and in the Acholi area only one per cent have permanently returned to their places of origin. ¶9. (SBU) Holmes characterized current needs in Uganda as a "triple challenge": humanitarian assistance to those still displaced; continuing assistance to those beginning to move home; and basic support leading to longer-term development for those who return. This shifting situation requires a flexible and well coordinated approach, Holmes stressed, and he discussed this challenge with President Museveni. Holmes referenced the Government of Uganda's "Peace, Recovery and Development Plan," developed in cooperation with the World Bank, and noted that it needs to be implemented in parallel with continuing humanitarian relief efforts. To the HLWG, Holmes noted that President Museveni was skeptical of the Juba process and seemed to feel that the LRA threat had largely passed. ¶10. (SBU) At IDP settlements in Kitgum District, Holmes heard directly from IDPs that they would not feel safe enough to return home until a final agreement with the LRA was reached. He therefore called for full international support for the Juba talks, noting that the "stakes are high" for both northern Uganda and southern Sudan. Without providing additional detail, Holmes declared to the Security Council that the current ICC warrants will have to proceed "in a way that satisfies the requirements of both peace and justice." In his meeting with the HLWG, Holmes elaborated, stating that he believes LRA leader Kony "will not fall for sequencing" a peace agreement and further ICC action, and that Kony will demand that all ICC warrants be dropped as a prerequisite to any final deal. ¶11. (SBU) Holmes also raised GOU disarmament efforts that have exacerbated tensions in the northeastern area of Karamoja, citing allegations of excessive force and human rights violations. He encouraged the GOU to take cautions from a recent OHCHR report seriously and to step up development efforts in parallel to the disarmament process. USUN NEW Y 00000410 003 OF 003 Holmes reported to the HLWG that President Museveni did not welcome Holmes' raising this issue, but that other levels of the GOU were receptive to the idea that development must accompany disarmament efforts. -------------- UNSC Reaction -------------- ¶12. (U) Ambassador Wolff delivered the U.S. intervention, calling for greater humanitarian access in Somalia, a comprehensive reconciliation process, and contingency planning for a possible UN peacekeeping mission. Ambassador Wolff condemned recent attacks on AMISOM in Mogadishu and called on Somalis and regional stakeholders to prevent further extremist violence. The U.S. statement commended the efforts of Special Envoy Chissano in restarting the Juba talks and called for strong UN leadership in ensuring continued coordination of humanitarian response activities in northern Uganda. The complete statement can be found at the USUN website: www.un.int/usa. ¶13. (U) Security Council members stressed the need for broad political dialogue in Somalia and expressed support for a reconciliation congress. Many members called on the TFG to facilitate access for humanitarian workers, and condemned the recent attack on Ugandan peacekeepers. A number of interventions also welcomed a visit to Somalia by HCHR Arbour. Council members commended the extended ceasefire between the GOU and the LRA, and expressed overall optimism for the resumed negotiations in Juba. Many, including Qatar, expressed general support for Security Council briefings by the Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs. (Note: In the past, South Africa and others have objected to this agenda topic, fearing that its undefined scope could open discussion to a range of countries and situations. End note.) ¶14. (U) Seeming slightly surprised, U/SYG Holmes summarized Security Council feedback to his presentation as unanimous regarding the situation in Somalia and next steps: agreement on the size and severity of the crisis, support for ongoing humanitarian efforts, the need to increase AMISOM capacity, an urgent need for broader political dialogue, and support for the visit of the OHCHR. He reiterated his call on the TFG to facilitate the delivery of assistance, specifically mentioning the Merka airstrip that remains closed to relief flights. ¶15. (U) Holmes praised the cooperation of the GOU in addressing the shift in some areas from emergency relief to longer-term development, and appealed to the international community to remain supportive and engaged in Uganda. Asked in the HLWG about the status of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) for Uganda (following the GOU's recent rejection of the last UN-appointed HC),Holmes answered that he had raised the issue with the GOU on his visit and that he has ideas on how to proceed, but that he needs to have additional internal discussions before reporting back to the HLWG. KHALILZAD