Dialogue with Islamic courts and compliance of L’Aquila Commitment for sustainable agricultural development essential to address drought in the Horn of Africa

Districts affected by

drought in 2011

On 25 July government and civil society representatives from around the globe gathered in Rome at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s headquarters to discuss emergency relief and funding gaps for the people affected by the drought in the Horn of Africa

According to government representatives, U.N. officials and nonprofit representatives the response was not activated too late to last year’s early warnings

Districts affected by
drought in 2006

While the distribution of food was guaranted in Ethiopia, in Kenya and in northern-central Somalia, a big challenge is in south Somalia, a region mainly controlled by the Islamic courts. In Somalia, a country affected by a constant conflict in the last 20 years; eight regions are in the hands of Al-Shabab, who forbid international organizations from operating with specialized staff coming from abroad. Therefore, by learning from the past it is essential not too repeat the error made with the drought in 2006 when the international community refused the dialogue with the Islamic courts. it is time to start a dialogue with Al-Shabab as it controls eight regions in central-southern Somalia.

Official Map Horn of Africa
 United Nations

Another issue of concern is the fact that the donor countries just respected only the 22 % of the pledges made for agriculture, for food security through the the L’Aquila commitment for sustainable agricultural development in 2009.

Pirates of the Caribbean style in Indian Ocean

The primary threat from piracy and armed robbery was found in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. There, with the leadership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the dedicated efforts of countries in the region, the international shipping industry and non-governmental organizations, a number of multilateral initiatives have resulted in improved maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in the Straits. But just as progress was being realized in Southeast Asia, a dramatic and alarming surge in piracy and armed robbery occurred in the waters off the coast of Somalia. Fueled by the violent political and economic instability in Somalia, the lack of institutions and the continued proliferation of small arms and light weapons piracy and armed robbery have increasingly endangered legitimate shipping in the waters off the coast of Somalia. In particular,the Gulf of Aden.

Some years ago newly appointed president of Puntland Abdirahman Mohamud Farole, a former finance minister and banker, defeated seven other candidates and will lead the northern region for four years.
"I will eliminate the piracy... and will deal with the security," he said. Promises remained on the table.

In contrast to more traditional forms of piracy, the pirates hijack commercial ships off Somalia and hold the ships and their crews hostage for ransom. Somali pirates attacking beginning of February a vessell operated by a Malaysian company, owned by a Japanese firm, have been arrested and charged in Kuala Lumpur. Attacks on ships and yachts have increased. Unfortunately, last 22 February 4 American tourists taken from their yacht have been shot dead.

IMB Piracy Reporting Centre

As stated in an article published the 1st of March on the Financial Times: "anti-piracy operations..., it's like a crime in France where you have to call in police from Austria"

And as always there is people transforming a problem in a business creating a t-shirts line. Hope at least part of the revenues will go for aid projects in Somalia, but I doubt...