The UN in Somalia 1991-95 HO3

Use pages 104-106 of your text book

In January 1991 Civil War broke out in Somalia. This was then compounded by crop failure which led
to famine. The UN negotiated a ceasefire in March 1992 and in April the Security Council agreed to a
multinational peacekeeping mission known as UNOSOM.

Was UNOSOM effective?

No, the warlords continued violence because they did not want the UN present

What was UNITAF? Was it successful?

It was successful in the short term but not the long, it was a united taskforce to create safe
conditions form which to administer aid

What other agencies were in Somalia?

FAO, UNICEF, UNHCH, WHO and red cross

What was UNOSOM II?

Its aim was disarmament but it was attacked by Aideed

Why did the UN fail to find a political solution in Somalia?

UNOSOM / UNITAF UNOSOM II
Threatened by Aideed
Attacked by Aideed
Cost of mission greater than progress
Loss of US force in March 1994
Unsuited for scale
Truce uneasy, unstable
No long term peace

USA
Commitment dwindled with UNOSOM II
Somalia unpopular in public opinion
USA withdrew troops march 1994
Somalia
Nature of conflict – competing warlords
Aideed and Mahdi not reconciled
Fractured clan based conflict
Lack of governmetn
Exam Q: Explain two causes of the UN failure in Somalia. (8 marks).