[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 167 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13618-S13619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SOMALIA

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I have come to this floor many times 
over the years to urge increased U.S. attention and resources to 
Somalia. Meanwhile, the United States and the international community 
at large have continued to respond sporadically and clumsily to the 
steady deterioration of Somalia's security, humanitarian, and political 
situations. In January, I said that we had only a very limited window 
to establish the conditions necessary for stability in Somalia and the 
volatile Horn of Africa region, but I fear that opportunity may soon be 
lost. Events over the past few days suggest that strong but inclusive 
leadership is needed now if Somalia is to avoid the worst descent into 
chaos of its tumultuous history.
  This weekend saw a massive setback in Somalia's security and 
humanitarian situation as a fresh outbreak of fighting which aid 
workers describe as the worst violence in months--forced tens of 
thousands more Somalis from their homes in Mogadishu. Most of these 
people are seeking refuge in communities whose coping capacities are 
already at the breaking point due to the strain of providing food, 
water, protection, shelter, and basic services to more than 300,000 
existing internally displaced persons. Some of the newly displaced have 
fled to areas where there is little or no access by humanitarian 
agencies.
  Forty of these aid organizations that are operating against all odds 
in Somalia released a statement yesterday highlighting the dramatic 
deterioration of the humanitarian situation and their increasing 
inability to effectively respond due to security and access 
constraints. They are calling on the international community and all 
parties to the present conflict to demonstrate a commitment to protect 
civilians, to facilitate the delivery of aid, and to respect 
humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers. I want to 
take this moment to honor the courageous individuals and their 
sponsoring organizations for their persistent service to the innocent 
civilians most affected by the ongoing instability in Somalia and to 
echo their appeal for concerted action to support their work and the 
broader objective of peace for Somalia.
  Amidst this dark backdrop there is a glimmer of hope for progress. On 
Monday, the embattled Foreign Minister of Somalia's fragile 
transitional federal government, Ali Mohamed Gedi, resigned amid 
feverish political infighting. Since its formation 3 years ago, the TFG 
has suffered from a lack of public legitimacy due to its inability to 
effectively represent and provide security and services to the Somali 
people. The appointment of a new Prime Minister is likely to be the 
last chance for this transitional government to restore some 
credibility and move forward with political reconciliation. I encourage 
all parties to seize this opportunity for progress towards a solution 
to the country's deepening crisis.
  In January, I warned that without concerted international and 
national action, Somalia could deteriorate into what it has been since 
the early 1990s--a haven for terrorists and warlords and a source of 
crippling instability in a

[[Page S13619]]

critical region. But as tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea rise once 
again, the ongoing humanitarian needs of civilians in the Ogaden region 
of Ethiopia reach international attention, and the Comprehensive Peace 
Agreement in Sudan stands on extremely fragile ground, I fear that our 
failure to protect civilians, defeat extremists, and build conditions 
for stability in Somalia could result in an even more disastrous 
outcome with consequences that extend far beyond the porous borders of 
this besieged nation. We cannot afford to squander this chance for 
progress towards peace.

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