Political overview
After more than 20 years of conflict and the absence of functioning central governments in Somalia finds itself in one of many peace efforts. Political progress is slow and the security situation remains serious.
The situation is however different in different parts of the country. In Somaliland, in northwest Somalia bordering Djibouti, the situation is comparably stable and a nascent developing democracy can be found. In June 2010 Somaliland carried out general Presidential elections and the transfer of power was peaceful. The new government is working closely with a number of donor countries, among them Sweden, in an effort to increase democracy and provide better services to its citizens. Somaliland seeks to break away from Somalia and form its own independent state, something the International community has not responded positive to so far.
Also in Puntland in north-western Somalia a measure of stability and a positive trend prevails. Puntland has however been the centre of the growing piracy business, something that might have contributed to a slower development than many have hoped for.
In the central regions, several local administrations have emerged during the last years such as Galmudug and "Himan and Heb" which seeks stability and wish to provide service to the population. The religious Sufi movement Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaaca (ASWJ) also controls, through its militia, areas in the central region that have been made relatively peaceful. ASWJ has however not taken over the political and administrative responsibility of the districts under their protection. Local initiatives have generally led to improved security and increased international presence in the central regions.
The emerging and already established local and regional administrations, with the exception of Somaliland, see themselves as part of a future Somali federal state and have relations with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
The TFG is based in the capital Mogadishu like the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP) and other transitional institutions. The peacekeeping force from the African Union, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), has a mandate to protect the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). TFG security forces with the support of AMISOM and some pro-government militia now controls about some 80% of Mogadishu. Armed clashes and terrorist attacks are however still common and movement of international organizations is virtually confined to the airport area. For travel outside this area the use of armoured vehicles with armed escorts is necessary.
Other parts of the country, i.e. Southern Somalia, including the coastal area up to Mogadishu, is predominantly controlled by al Shabaab. Al Shabaab is on the United Nations list of terrorist organizations. TFG launched in February 2011 with the support of AMISOM and in collaboration with a number of clan militias and ASWJ, a military offensive that to date has resulted in regained areas in Mogadishu and along the border with Kenya and Ethiopia.
The Somali transitional institutions, including the President, the TFG and the TFP, are mandated by the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC) which was created after lengthy negotiations in 2004. The TFIs were given five years to prepare a new constitution and elections for permanent institutions. In January 2009 they had achieved very little and the transition period was extended for another two years until August 2011. In early 2011, it became clear that the transition could not be completed within the allocated time frame. Following intense discussions in June 2011 in Kampala between President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and the TFP's Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden with the support of the SRSG Augustin Mahiga and the Ugandan President Yoveri Museveni, it was decided that the transitional institutions would receive an additional year to develop and implement a road map with time frames and implementation mechanisms. This road map aims at bringing Somalia to the end of the transition and lead to the creation of permanent institutions.
Sweden is an active and central actor in the international discussions, both bilaterally with the Somali representatives with the EU and with the UN. Through the Embassy in Nairobi, Sweden has a wide network of contacts and a close relationship with actors such as the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), EU, AU, IGAD, bilateral and other actors, both Somali and international. Sweden is one of the initiators of the International Contact Group for Somalia (ICG), which meets approximately twice a year on capital level. The group has grown and now includes more than 40 countries and some 10 international organizations. Meetings are prepared and led by the SRSG Augustin Mahiga. Development Cooperation
Sweden's engagement in Somalia is aimed at promoting lasting reconciliation, stability and the re-establishment of effective governance. This is essential in order to achieve the overall Swedish goal of poverty reduction and to create opportunities for poor people to improve their living conditions.
An overall framework for international development assistance to Somalia, the "Reconstruction and Development Programme" (RDP), was developed under the auspices of the UN in cooperation with the TFG.The framework was developed through a broad-based, country-wide process involving numerous Somali stakeholders. Ownership of the document is thus shared between the Somali authorities, Somali civil society and the international community. The objectives of the RDP are to strengthen and advance peace and reduce poverty. Sweden also contributes to RDP implementation through its development cooperation goal.
The Paris Declaration, the Accra Agenda and OECD / DAC guidelines for engagement in fragile states provide guidance for increasing aid effectiveness. EU and UN policy and support for Somalia provides a platform for Swedish support, which is largely channelled through UN agencies.
Sweden's aid to Somalia calls for flexibility, creativity and coordination with other donors in order to function effectively. Long term planning is complicated due to often unpredictable developments in the country. There is a preparedness to respond quickly to emerging needs of support for reconciliation, conflict prevention or other actions that strengthen the implementation of the peace process, a lasting political solution or to overcome Somalia’s lagging development and widespread poverty.
In 2010, funding from Sweden through the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida) reached about 90 million SEK (15 MUSD) for development cooperation and approximately 105 million SEK (17 MUSD) for humanitarian assistance in Somalia.
The Swedish development assistance to Somalia is currently anchored by a government decision 2009-09-23 in which a document entitled "Policy framework for Swedish development cooperation with Somalia” dated 2009-07-16 was approved. Swedish assistance to Somalia currently focus on the following key areas:
• Deepening peace, improving security and establishing good governance. Support should be extended for peace, reconciliation and stabilization efforts in Somalia, and the points of departure should be the Djibouti process, the transitional Charter and the TFIs. Women's participation is of particular importance. A considerable amount of the assistance is implemented within the framework of a Strategic Partnership with the UNDP, which includes support to the police and judiciary, institutional development, development of a new constitution and technical assistance drawn from the diaspora. A separate program with UNDP, aims at developing local governance. Another important beneficiary is the international organization “Interpeace” that is active in the field of peace building and institutional development of democracy such as support to the democratic process in Somaliland.
• Investing in people through improved social services. The point of departure for Swedish support in this area is access to social services for poor and conflict affected people. Despite the difficult security situation in much of the country, work is underway to develop sustainable systems to provide health, education, clean water and sanitation as well as social protection for disadvantaged and conflict-affected groups. The emphasis is on developing and strengthening local Somali capacity and ownership. The support will seek to ensure that the most marginalized groups, often women and children, can participate in the design of these services, as well as gaining access to them.
One partner is the Swedish organization Diakonia which, in Puntland, runs a successful project aimed at increasing the capacity of target groups and partners in peace building and conflict management skills. Diakonia has strengthened capacity among local partners to facilitate the development and consolidation of democratic culture and principles, as well as governance through education and skills. The programme has a clear focus on education of girls and women.
Sweden also collaborates with WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA in three areas: Child Health Days (CHD) campaigns which include vaccination of children, increased access to a basic package of health care and the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
• Humanitarian Assistance. This is carried out through the UN and NGOs, primarily within the framework of the UN Consolidated Appeal (CAP), the UN Emergency Response Fund (CERF), UNHCR, WFP and ICRC. Much of Somalia's population continues to be in urgent need of humanitarian assistance due to factors such as conflict and continuous cycles of drought . A high level of preparedness for a rapid response to humanitarian needs in Somalia is maintained, whether caused by natural disasters such as droughts and floods, or have their origin in insecurity and armed conflict - or a combination thereof.
The humanitarian assistance is governed by the Swedish Government's policy on humanitarian aid and Sida's Strategy for Humanitarian Assistance, which aims to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity in relation to disaster situations. Swedish support should also create mutually reinforcing interaction between humanitarian and longer-term efforts .