On March 26, 1993, the Security Council decided to transition from the Unified Task Force (UNITAF) to the Second United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNOSOM II). Resolution 814 authorized the transition. UNOSOM II had three key functions: to maintain a cease-fire, to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and to create conditions conducive to a political settlement. The mission was composed of 20,000 troops and 8,000 logistical support personnel.
On June 5th, an attack against UNOSOM II in Mogadishu left 25 Pakistani soldiers dead. The Security Council condemned the attack and demanded that all parties comply with the commitments undertaken. Subsequently, UNOSOM II forces engaged in military actions in south Mogadishu in order to capture General Aidid, the leader of one of the principal warring clans. The operation resulted in casualties among the civilian population as well as among UNOSOM II members. In one operation, 18 US soldiers were killed. As a result, the United States reinforced its presence with air, sea and ground forces. However, it subsequently announced that US forces would withdraw from Somalia by March 31, 1994. Belgium, France and Sweden also announced their decision to withdraw.
Humanitarian work and political reconciliation efforts continued throughout 1993. More than 100,000 refugees returned from Ethiopia to the relatively peaceful northwestern part of the country. Reconciliation meetings were held throughout Somalia. In October, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali traveled to the region for consultations on UNOSOM II's future strategy for humanitarian, political and security activities. He held talks with the leaders of Egypt, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia. He also visited Baidoa and Mogadishu, holding talks with Somali elders and UNOSOM II officials.
In February 1994, the Security Council revised the mandate of UNOSOM II, stressing assistance to the Somali people and their leaders in attaining political reconciliation, reconstruction and stability. The Council authorized a gradual troop reduction and set a March 1995 deadline for the completion of UNOSOM II's mission. In March, following talks brokered by the Secretary-General's Acting Special Representative, Somalia's 15 major movements signed the Nairobi Declaration on national reconciliation. The agreement called on participants to prepare for a National Reconciliation Conference. It also set out the signatories' commitment to implementing a cease-fire and disarming their militias. However, the preparatory meeting for the National Reconciliation Conference was postponed repeatedly.
In May, the Secretary-General reported to the Security Council that all Somali political leaders had appealed for the continued presence of UNOSOM II. However, the security situation had steadily deteriorated. In July, the Security Council noted the gains made on the humanitarian front and in re-establishing the police and justice systems. However, it expressed concern at the slow pace of national reconciliation. In July, the Secretary-General sent a mission to discuss UNOSOM II's troop reduction. In August, he recommended the reduction of the force to 15,000 troops. On August 25th, the Security Council, requested the Secretary-General to report on the prospects for national reconciliation and on options for UNOSOM II's future. In September, the Secretary-General reported that UNOSOM II's ability to provide security had been reduced by troop withdrawals, Somali political and military actions and budget restrictions. The Security Council encouraged Boutros-Ghali to continue with the preparation of contingency arrangements for the possible withdrawal of UNOSOM II. The level of the force was to be reduced from over 18,000 to 15,000 by the end of October.
In October, the Secretary-General reported that Somali leaders had not carried out commitments entered into under the 1993 Addis Ababa Agreement and the 1994 Nairobi Declaration. "The international community cannot impose peace," he noted. "Peace can only come from the Somalis themselves." Boutros-Ghali recommended extending UNOSOM II's mandate through March 1995 to give Somali leaders time to consolidate any progress towards reconciliation. A Security Council mission visited Somalia at the end of October to convey to the Somali political parties the Council's views on the situation in Somalia. The mission reported that political reconciliation was far from certain. The mission's chairman stated that continuation of UNOSOM II beyond March could not be justified because of the political impasse in the country.
On November 4th, the Security Council extended UNOSOM II's mandate for a final period until March 31, 1995 and affirmed that the primary purpose of the mission was to facilitate political reconciliation. It urged all Somali factions to negotiate a cease-fire and to form a transitional government of national unity. However, no further progress was made towards reconciliation. The withdrawal of UNOSOM II was completed in March 1995. However, the Secretary-General declared that United Nations assistance to Somalia would continue in both the political and humanitarian areas. Under difficult conditions, United Nations agencies continue to carry out emergency and rehabilitation activities in the country.
Source: Basic Facts About the United Nations, Copyright 1995 United Nations, Published by the United Nations Department of Public Information.
