UN in Somalia
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Chronology

Somalia's 6.8 million people have been living with anarchy since the government of president Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. The country is divided into fiefdoms controlled by rival warlords and arms, ammunition and explosives, flow freely across its borders in breach of a UN embargo. Torn by conflict, the Somali people continue to suffer greatly from conflict, droughts, floods and the collapse of their traditional livelihoods. Although the United Nations' humanitarian and development operations are constrained by chronic insecurity in much of the country today, its agencies and organizations offer a lifeline for some 900,000 people needing emergency assistance. The UN Country team has continued to deliver humanitarian relief and programme support wherever conditions allow relatively secure access to those in need.

Recent political events

2008

10 – 15 May: Inter-Somali talks take place in Djibouti led by SRSG. The TFG and ARS agree on a declaration on Humanitarian Access and SRSG issues a communique

1 May: US air-strike kills Aden Hashi Ayrow, commander of the Al-shabaab.

30 April: International Contact Group meeting in Oslo, Norway.

28 – 29 March: UNPOS and World Bank hold high level meeting on Somalia’s Finance and Economic issues in Nairobi

20 March: SRSG briefs UN Security Council and calls for UNCT to relocate to Mogadishu

3 March: US strike against what it calls an “Al Qaeda target” in Dhobley, Lower Juba

27 -29 February: SRSG holds talks with President Yusuf and Prime Minister Hussein in Baidoa. He also visits Bossasso, Garowe and Hargeisa for the first time.

28 – 30 January: SRSG Ahmedou Ould Abdallah convenes a meeting of Somali and international business representatives in United Arab Emirates entitled ‘The Private Sector, tool for Peace”

January:  New TFG cabinet announced consisting 18 ministers and 5 deputy ministers

2007

20 December: SRSG Ould-Abdallah briefs Security Council on three options for international involvement in Somalia and pledges there will be ‘no business as usual’

29 October: Prime Minister Mohammed Gedi resigns

24 November: Nur Hassan Hussein sworn in as Prime Minister

27 October: Heavy fighting erupts in Mogadishu between insurgents and Ethiopian troops. Residents say dozens of people are killed in the three days of battles that follow.

22 September: SRSG Ould Abdallah visits Mogadishu on his first trip to Somalia

15 September: Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah takes up post as the new SRSG

6 – 13 September:  Congress for the Liberation and Reconstitution of Somalia meet in Asmara and establish the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia

30 August: President Yusuf winds up 6-week-long peace conference with no results.

20 February: U.N. Security Council authorizes 8000 strong African Union peacekeeping mission for Somalia for 6 months.

2 February: The Security Council supports the rapid deployment of a UN technical mission to Somalia to assess and report on the country's future security needs.

30 January: President Yusuf announces at AU Summit in Addis Ababa that he will call a reconciliation congress soon to engage all stakeholders in a national dialogue.

8 January: Washington-based media report that US gunships struck at al-Qaida members said to be hiding with remnants of the UIC in southern Somalia near the Kenyan border

8 January: President Abdullahi Yusuf arrives in Mogadishu for the first time

5 January: Ethiopia's PM says his country will pull its troops out of Somalia within two weeks. Diplomats join meeting of International Consultative Group on Somalia in Nairobi to discuss sending regional peacekeepers and more aid to Somalia.

1 January 2007: UIC abandon defences at Kismayu in the face of heavy artillery fire

2006

31 December: Somali Prime Minister Gedi enters Mogadishu.

28 December: Forces of the ICU distribute weapons and flee Mogadishu ahead of a joint Ethiopian and Somali government force which capture the capital.

25 December: Ethiopian jets strike the Islamist-controlled Somali airports of Baledogle, Somalia's biggest military airfield, and Mogadishu.

24 December: Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says he is waging war against the Islamists to protect his country's sovereignty. It is
Ethiopia's first public admission of military involvement in Somalia.

19 December: Hostilities following expiration of the deadline.

12 December: Islamists warn that Ethiopian troops said to be protecting the TFG in Baidoa and elsewhere mustleave Somalia within seven days or face war.

6 December: UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1725 authorizing the creation of an IGAD/AU protection force and training mission in Somalia (IGASOM) to help protect the country's transitional federal institutions. (Link to resolution pdf)

4 December: The UN Special Representative visits Mogadishu to meet with the senior leadership of the Union of Islamic Courts. He appeals to them to return to dialogue without preconditions and to halt their military expansion.

29 November: UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1724 encouraging all parties to uphold the arms embargo and pursue reconciliation through the Khartoum process. (Link to resolution pdf)

7 November: Ambasssador Fall, briefs the UN Security Council today on a range of issues including the outcome and implications of the Khartoum III round of talks that ended 1 November. More...

1 November: Khartoum lll talks end with postponement of discussions.

25 October: Ambassador Fall, visits Uganda for discussions on the Somali peace process with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa. More...

22 October: SRSG visits Egypt (20-22 October) for separate meetings with Amre Mousa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States and Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Foreign Minister of Egypt. More...

16 October: SRSG visits Djibouti (12-13 October) and Yemen (14-16) as part of a seven-nation mission. Ambassador Fall meets with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti and Yemen's Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi respectively. More...

10 October: UN Special Representatives and senior officials from UNMIS, UNMEE, and UNPOS hold their first Inter-Mission meeting in Nairobi (9-10 October) to exchange views on the political, military and security situations in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. More...

4 October: Ambassador Fall meets in Asmara with President Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea today on the second leg of his seven-nation mission. More...

3 October: Ambassador Fall meets with Ethiopian PM, Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa on first leg of seven nation mission to promote peace and reconciliation in Somalia. More...

21 September: Communities in major population centres throughout Somalia commemorate the International Day of Peace. More...

18 September: UN Special Representative condemns car bombing attempt in Baidoa on life of TFG President Abdullahi Yusuf. Ambassador also condemns the murder of Italian Catholic Nun, Sister Leonelle Sgorbati in north Mogadishu.

2 September: Special Representative addresses second round of Khartoum talks. More...

29 August: Ambassador Fall briefs the International Contact Group on Somalia in Stockholm, Sweden.

16 August: Ambassador Fall briefs the UN Security Council on recent developments inside the country and on international support for peace and reconciliation. More...

3 August: The UN announces the appointment of Mr. Per Lindgarde as Deputy Special Representative for Somalia. More...

1 August: The SRSG addresses special meeting of IGAD Council of Ministers in Nairobi and tells them that the continuation of dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government and the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts is an essential first step towards a peaceful solution for Somalia. More...

28 July: The SRSG condemns the assassination of Abdallah Deerow Isaaq, Somalia's Minister for Constitutional and Federal Affairs. More ...

25 July: The SRSG flies to Baidoa and Mogadishu for meetings with Somali President, Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed and Prime Minister, Ali Mohammed Gedi, in Baidoa and with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Courts (SCIC) in Mogadishu. More...

20 July: Forces loyal to the Islamic Courts advanced to the town of Bur-Hakaba, 60 kilometres from Baidoa, the interim seat of the Transitional Federal Institutions. The TFG cites this as a violation of the Khartoum Agreement and Ethiopia announces that it will defend the TFG if Baidoa is attacked. Reports emerge of Ethiopian troop deployments near Baidoa. SRSG, Francois Lonseny Fall, urges leaders of the Transitional Federal Government and the Supreme Council of the Islamic Courts to restrain their forces. He appeals to both sides to resume the dialogue opened in Khartoum on 22 June. More...

17 July: The International Contact Group on Somalia holds its second meeting in Brussels.

11 July: The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, tells the United Nations Security Council that the rise of ‘hardliners’ within the Islamic Courts poses a serious threat to the peace process and to the country’s Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) in particular.

7 July: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the Transitional Federal Government must be strengthened so that painstaking gains made in Somalia are not lost.

27 June: The Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia establishes contact with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Chairman of the Union of Islamic Courts in Mogadishu. They discuss the evolving situation and the UN role and agree to meet soon. More...

23 June: The Secretary-General welcomes an agreement reached between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and representatives of the Union of Islamic Courts in Khartoum on 22 June as a positive development. More...

22 June: An agreement is signed in Khartoum between the Transitional Federal Institutions and representatives of the Islamic Courts. They agree on mutual recognition and undertake not to take any action to increase tensions. They also agree to continue dialogue.

6 June: Francois Lonseny Fall, United Nations Special Representative for Somalia, encourages the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Union of Islamic Courts and other parties in Mogadishu to pursue dialogue, reconciliation and stable governance in accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter. More...

5 June: The Secretary-General appeals to all sides to stop the fighting and enter into negotiations. More...

26 May: Concerned at the resumption of fighting in Mogadishu between warring militias belonging to the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism and those of the Sharia Courts, the UN Secretary-General calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. More...

12 May: UN Secretary-General expresses deep concern at reports of increasing violence in Somalia. He calls on warring factions to cease fire immediately. He also urges all parties to support the Transitional Federal Institutions in their effort to implement the Transitional Charter. More...

10 May: The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia appeals for an end to hostilities in Mogadishu as the city enters its fourth day of violence between heavily armed militia forces. More...

28 March: In message to the Arab League Summit, the Secretary-General reviews situations in key areas of conflict and notes that Somalia continues to cope with violence, the weakness or non-existence of governing institutions, and a lack of national consensus on the future. The Secretary General says that the UN will continue to provide political, moral and material support for the transitional process, but calls on the Arab States to give both humanitarian and development aid. More...

2005

12 July: A United Nations security officer, Mohamuud Musse Gurage, is killed by gunmen in the Lower Juba region of Somalia. The murder of Mr. Gurage underscores the difficult security situation the United Nations faces as it attempts to assist the people of Somalia. The Secretary General offers condolences to Mr. Gurage’s friends and family. More...

5 July: The SG's Special Representative, Francois Fall chairs the Joint Co-ordination and Monitoring Committee (CMC). He welcomes the relocation of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) but notes international concern at the reported inflow of weapons to Somalia and reported militia movements. All Somali leaders are asked to exercise maximum restraint and take effective steps to reduce tension. More...

16 June: The quarterly report of the SG to the Security Council states that it is of "utmost importance" that the TFG and transitional federal institutions relocate to Somalia.

12 June: The TFG holds its last parliamentary session in Kenya prior to repatriation home. Most Somali legislators have left Kenya by the following day but remain dispersed within Somalia and neighbouring countries while the question of where to re-establish the seat of government remains unresolved.

10 June: Donor contributions to the Somalia Consolidated Appeal tally just 39 percent of the $164.4 million sought in November 2004. More...

27 May: The Secretary-General appoints Francois Loseny Fall as his Special Representative for Somalia . More...

15 March : The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to re-establish the arms Monitoring Group for a period of six months to focus on arms embargo violations, including transfers of ammunition, single use weapons and small arms. More...

9 March: The Security Council receives a detailed assessment of arms traffic into Somalia . The Monitoring Group on Somalia reports arms embargo violations at a "brisk and alarming rate". More...

2004

26 December: The Indian Ocean tsunami, devastates the northeastern Somali coastline and worsens an already dire humanitarian situation in the region. Tens of thousands are affected by the tsunami and many remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. More...

11 November: A Consolidated Appeal seeks $164.4 million for 96 projects in 11 sectors to address the humanitarian, recovery and development needs of an estimated seven million people. More...

14 October: The Secretary General expresses his pleasure at the inauguration while noting that "formidable challenges" remain and international support can achieve only so much. He notes that the peace process belongs to the Somali people and hinges on their genuine commitment to reconciliation and peace. More...

14 October: Message from the Secretary-General on the inauguration of Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed as the Transitional President of Somalia. More...

10 October: Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, (President of "Puntland") is elected President of the TFG with 189 votes. The runner up, Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed Addow receives 79 votes. Before the vote, all 25 Presidential candidates promise to support the elected president and demobilize their militia. Somaliland however, warns against any violation of its "borders". (Note: Somaliland declared itself to be an independent republic in 1991. It has a regional authority in the northwestern town of Hargeisa , presided over by a President, Vice-President, Parliament and Cabinet officials. The international community however does not recognize its self-declared status. Puntland in the northeast, has declared autonomy but not independence. A strong rivalry continues between these northern regions.)

29 August: The Somali Parliament is formally inaugurated. More...

July: A controversy over the method for selecting members of parliament (MPs) is resolved after concerted efforts by IGAD Foreign Ministers.

12 February: Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Somalia ( S/2004/115 )

29 January: Somali leaders sign off on amendments to a transitional federal charter. They agree that: the Somali republic should have a transitional federal government; its term should last five years, and; there should be a transitional federal parliament of 275 members of whom 12 per cent are women. They also agree that a national census should be taken while a new constitution is being drafted for approval by an internationally supervised national referendum.

2003

24 October: The 10th Summit of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) works to get the Somali national reconciliation process back on track. Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, chairs a Summit in Kampala and attending Heads of State decide to expand membership of the IGAD Technical Committee ( Djibouti , Ethiopia , Kenya ) to include Eritrea , Sudan and Uganda . They also rename the committee the IGAD Facilitation Committee and make the Special Envoy of the African Union for Somalia a member.

September: A conference in Mbagathi, Kenya deadlocks over the adoption of a charter (S/2003/987, paragraphs 13-18). (The " Somaliland " administration refused to participate and tensions between the Somaliland and Puntland administrations over the disputed regions of Sool and Sanaag escalated in early 2004.)

2002

12 December: The Security Council welcomes the Declaration on Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process, signed in Eldoret , Kenya , on 27 October and urges practical steps to grant safe, unfettered access to humanitarian personnel. More...

27 October: Somali leaders sign the "Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process" (S/2002/1359, annex). However, armed clashes continue between rival militias and sub-clans, together with arguments among those who attended the conference as to the nature of a future transitional federal government.

21 February: The Secretary-General presents the Security Council with the first of what will be quarterly reports on political developments in Somalia . His report covers progress made and challenges faced by the IGAD-led peace process. The quarterly reports include updates on the security situation and humanitarian and development activities of United Nations programmes and agencies.

January: Heads of State of member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), lead a new initiative for national reconciliation. Three frontline countries (Djibouti , Ethiopia and Kenya ) coordinate efforts under the supervision of the IGAD Chairman to hold a Somalia National Reconciliation Conference in Kenya . President Daniel Arap Moi (Kenya) serves as conference coordinator and some 600 Somali representatives attend the proceedings in Eldoret , Kenya.

2000

29 June: Report of the Security Council on the situation in Somalia. More...

1995

15 April: The Secretary-General establishes the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) to pursue peace and reconciliation through contacts with Somali leaders, civic organizations and the States and organizations concerned.

31 March: UNOSOM's mandate expires. (Peacekeepers departed earlier that month).

28 March: Report of the Secretary General on the Situation in Somalia. More...

1993-1994

Although faction leaders fail to comply with ceasefire agreements, the Security Council decides to extend UNOSOM for a final period urging factions to enact a ceasefire and form a Government of national unity.

April 1993: UNITAF's mission ends.

March 1993: UNOSOM II is established (Resolution 814) with a mandate to take over the work of UNITAF for the restoration of peace, stability, law and order, together with the maintenance and protection of international relief operations. More...

1992

December: Following a further deterioration in the situation, the Security Council authorizes Member States to form a Unified Task Force (UNITAF) to coordinate with UNOSOM to secure major population centers and ensure that humanitarian assistance is delivered and distributed.

August: UNOSOM's mandate and troop strength are enlarged to cover humanitarian operations throughout the country.

April: The Security Council establishes the UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM I) to reconcile the warring factions, monitor a ceasefire in the capital, Mogadishu, and protect UN personnel, equipment and supplies. UNOSOM troops guard Somalia's seaports and airports and escort humanitarian convoys to distribution centers in the city and its immediate environs.

1991

January: President Siad Barre is driven from the country by opposing clans. The failure of the clans to unite around a replacement however, leads to factional grabs for power, influence and resources. More...