The historical background of United Nations can be traced back to the occurrence of Second World War of 1939-1945 following the failure of the League of the Nations to prevent that war (2nd World War). Because wide spread recognition that human kind could not afford a 3rd WORLD war, the UN was established to replace the flawed of the League of Nations in 1945 in order to maintain international peace and promote cooperation in solving international economic, social and humanitarian problems. The earliest concrete plan for a new world organization was began under the aegis of the United State department in 1939 Franklin De Roosevelt first coined the term United Nation as a term used to describe the allied countries. The term was first used on January, 1st 1942 when 26 governments signed the Atlantic Charter, pledging to continue the war effort. On April 1945 the UN conference on international organization began n San Francisco, attended by 50 governments and a number of Non-governmental Organization involved in drafting the UN Charter. The UN officially come into existence on October, 24th 1945 upon ratification of the Charter by five permanent members of the security council; France, The Republic of China, The Soviet Union, The United Kingdom and The United States.
The United nations is an international organization whose aims to facilitate cooperation in International Law, International Security, Economic Development, Social Progress, Human Rights, and achievement of the world peace. It contains multiple organs and organizations to carry its missions. It is currently has 193 members. The United Nations and its specialized agencies decide on substantive administrative issues in regular meeting conducted throughout the year. The organization has six (6) principal organs “The General Assembly (the main deliberative Assembly), The Security Council (for deciding certain resolution for peace and security), The Economic and Social Council (for assisting in promoting international economic, social cooperation and development), The Secretariat (for providing studies, information and facilities needed by the United Nations), The International Court of Justice (ICJ) (the primary judicial organ) and The United Nations (UNICEF), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The United Nation’s visible public figure is Secretary General, currently Ban Ki-moon of South Korea who attains the post in 2007. The UN head quarter is in New York City, with main offices at Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna.
The United Nations intervene African countries in all aspects of life; economically, socially, politically as well as culturally. This operates through the United Nations system agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, FAO, and United Nations Principal Organs such as Security Council and The international Court of Justice. From here Somalia and Libya are case studies in assessing the United Nations interventions in Africa. By starting with Somalia;
The United Nations operations in promoting peace and security, the United Nations UNOSOM1 was setup to facilitate humanitarian aid to people trapped by civil war and famine. The mission developed into a broad attempt to help stop the conflict and reconstitute the basic instruction of the viable state. This was due heavy fighting from November 1991 in the Somali capital city Mogadishu between armed elements allied to General Mohamed Farah Aidid or to Mr Ali Mohamed Mahdi. The UN security council imposed arms embargo and calls for humanitarian assistance. In January 1992 the UN security council unanimously adopted resolution 773 (1992).under chapter seven of the charter imposing general and complete arms embargo on Somalia and establishment of 50 military observers to monitor cease-fire and 500 strong infantry unit and the United Nations operations in Somalia UNISOM2 had approximately 2800 military and police personnel and 2800 international and recruited staff and total expenditure used in this operation is $1,643,485,500 net. The UNISOM2 was authorized by security council following the withdraw of Unified Task Force (UNITAF), multinational force organized and led by United States. The UNISOM2 was to take appropriate action including enforcement measures, disarmament and reconciliation.
Health promotion, the United Nations in Somalia through its specialized agencies World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and UNDP has been forefront global at country. For example in fighting HIV/AIDS, UNDP has implementing four (4) HIV/AIDS project; strengthening the three HIV/AIDS commission and secretariats, UNDP supports the three zonal; Somali land Aids Commission (SOLNAC), South Central Aids Commission ( SCAC) and Puntland Aids Commission to ensure that HIV work carried out in each zone is well coordinated, Religious Leaders Advocate Project since 2006. UNDP has been working with religious leaders in an effort to equip them to play great role in addressing issues that related to HIV/AIDS. HIV and AIDS behavior change communication which started in 2006 has supported training of peer educator programs comprised women, religious leaders and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The 2010 delivery matrix for HIV/AIDS is $723,825.30.
Also WHO and UNICEF initiated child health day Accelerated Young Children Survival (AYCS) since 2008 to address the high under five mobility and mortality in Somalia. The 2005-2007 Measles campaign conducted by W HO. WHO monitoring system in Somali land and Punt land initiated trained workers on its use and laboratory techniques on measles diagnosis.
Promotion of good governance, the United Nations promotes the governance programme national and local institutions and service to steward Somalia’s establishment of good governance and public accountability. UNDP has identified pillars of Somalia’ needs such as establishment of good governance through initiatives at the national, regional and local level including of the constitution, enhance the capacity of national institutions that support the machinery of government and decision making and enhance the capacity of local civil society and media that support peace and state building.
Toward achieving this agenda UNDP partners with several United Nations and Non United Nations agencies and supports Somalia led initiate through various programs. UNDP Somalia constitutional making support, UNDP Somali partners designed the Somali institution development project for South Central Somalia and Punt land. The expenditure for governance program in 2010 is $21,208,236.05. Somali institution development project January-December 2010 Budget 12777, 439$, support to constitution making January-December 750,000$, local government January-December 2010 budget 6,501,548$.
Gender campaigning, United Nations Development Planning (UNDP) is committed to ensuring that women have equal opportunity to hold leadership position particularly in civil services. The organization therefore provided training for women in career development within civil society. In the first half of 2010 the Somaliland and Civil Institute (CSI) trained 203 middle and lower level civil servant, 98 of which were women 48% in various disciplines. In Punt land 61 government officials participated in job training in areas monitoring and evaluation, adaptation international and its standards and computer software application, financial accounting and budgeting of 61 participants 7 were women 11%.
The UN Joint Programme in Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (GPLG) has sought to ensure gender equality women’s representation in council committee has been established between 20-30% in Somaliland and Punt land. Also UN has provided support to women who want to pursue education and careers in Law. In Punt land 22 females, female Law scholarships have been awarded to female students who will graduate with Law degree in 2012. The ROLS programme has been instrumental in establishing the first ever women Lawyers Association in Somaliland. The Association currently has 45 registered and practicing members.
Economic support, the United Nations has been supporting economic trend in Africa countries. For example in Somalia, no other aspect of Somalia society has changed dramatically in past years as its economy. The country went from heavy statist and foreign assistance driven economy. Under Siyad Barre to an economy plunder in1991-1992 and economy contracts for the UN in 1993-1994. Since 1995 the economy has shifted yet again today. It is radically privatized, unregulated economy focusing mainly on commercial trade and services sector. The country receives 500$ million as foreign aid in 2000. Also the raise of remittance has been the raise of the money transfer (haw land) and telecommunication sector in Somalia.
Education assistance the World Bank (WB) and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with other agencies have been piloting and strategies that can address this problems in this period of transition towards reconstruction and development. A present transitional solution by UNESCO and WFP is been piloted in Mogadishu. The rationale behind this strategy is as follows “Food for Work (FW) plus small contribution in cash by the community of parents will create employment for teachers during the process of educational rehabilitation. School Feeding Programme (SFP) consisting of snack or lunch distribution in school is seen as means to offset some or all the costs of attending school including expenditure in books, fees, uniforms. Monetization programme should help to put in place basic resources for supervision and rehabilitation of official school infrastructure.
Food assistance, the UN through its specialized agency Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO on 20th July 2011 the UN declared the status of famine in two areas of Southern Somalia. It estimated that 3.7 million people in Somalia are currently affected by food insecurity. FAO in Somalia is calling for US dollar 70 million to address the immediate needs of a approximately a million drought affected people. FAO currently intervention focus on information systems, Somali water and land information management system(SWALIM) and Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) which saves as main source of information on food security, nutrition and livelihoods in Somalia.
Refugee settlement assistance, The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has been assisting humanitarian assistance for refugees and Asylum-seekers. For example, the majority of 404,000 refugees and Asylum seekers in Kenya are from Somalia. UNHCR anticipates as confirmation of refugees’ influx from Somalia in 2011.The supply of food and portable water is increased from 13 liters per person per day to15 in Dadaab and maintained at 23 in Kakuma. Building the capacity of government institutions, particularly the Department t of Refugee Affair (DRA),the judiciary and the police will remain central to the Cooperation between UNHCR and government of Kenya.In2011,UNHCR will continue to build the capacity of these government institution to insure that refugees are protected and enjoy their rights.
Apart from those UN operations in Somalia, United Nations has intervening in Libya conflicts since February 2011 antigovernment protests erupted in Libya and soon turned violent. The conflict has since increased and triggered a massive out flow of people to neighboring countries especially in Egypt and Tunisia. The UNHCR reports that 656,000 people had fled from Libya, mostly migrant workers from Egypt and Tunisia but including many more nationaties.The UN refugees Agency (UNHCR) switch response to this emergency, sending team to both Egypt and Tunisia .Staff at UNHCR office in Libyan capital of Tripoli have to work help a case load of around 8000 refuge and 3000 asylum-seekers.
Provision of shelters, the UNHCR has established presence of Banghazi and Tobruk in East country, also UNHCR has airlifted tones of aid including tens four thousands of people at the border and a items such as kitchen sets, blanket, sleeping nets. In western Libya UNHCR trucked in food while food package has been distributed for 5500 Libyans in southern Tunisia. And UNHCR have set a number of camps close to the Ras Adjir border post and Tatnoine province, and at the end of august more than 4000 refugees and asylum-seekers were being hosted in three camps.
Human Rights protection, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted unanimously to lift no fly zone over Libya on October 31 and military actions to protection
civilians, acting swiftly following the death Muammar Qaddafi. The council authorized the actions on March 17 in response to Arabic League request to try to halt Muammar Qaddafi`s military which was advancing against rebels and their civilians supporters. The UN Security Council said it looks forward to the swift establishment of inclusive representative transitional government of Libya committed to democracy, good governance, and rule of law, national reconciliation and respect to human rights.
Promotions of Development Program, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has established the recovery policies to support early recovery activities including capacity development support for local government and civil society. Now following the falls of Qaddafi, the European government leaders demanding UNDP intends to quickly in place to provide advisory support to the new government on transitional arrangements and process (including a new constitution and elections as well as strategy for public administration reform and support for national dialogue and reconciliation.
Education system change and recovery, the United Nations through its agency UNESCO-United Nations Educational Science and cultural Organization intervene in Libya by assisting the educations recovery that is affected by conflicts in the country. The message from Irina Bokova the Director General UNESCO on Saturday 17 September 2011 school in Libya will reopen their doors, the real starting point of the reconstruction of Libyan society, the quality of new Libyan education will be key to achieve the mobilization of human rights, freedom and equality. The assistance and support must be given to all working school doors; teachers must be trained programme designed training for all young people. UNESCO is ready to work with the authorities to address their needs and to support management capacities for the education sector as a whole. A new strategy must be implemented to train teachers.
In general, the United Nations ( UN) and its supporting organs as well as specialized agencies play a great role in promoting World peace and security, promoting human rights, good governance, providing social or humanitarian assistance, developing social and economic development programme, and many others. But the major criticism of United Nations (UN) from the South has been that few powerful members have dominated its policy making process and frequently used the Veto power to enhance their interest. This seems undemocratic. It is now surprising that critics of this arrangement are now seeking to strengthen it rather to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It is classic case “Animal Farm” where the oppressed join the oppressors and behave just like them.
The United nations is an international organization whose aims to facilitate cooperation in International Law, International Security, Economic Development, Social Progress, Human Rights, and achievement of the world peace. It contains multiple organs and organizations to carry its missions. It is currently has 193 members. The United Nations and its specialized agencies decide on substantive administrative issues in regular meeting conducted throughout the year. The organization has six (6) principal organs “The General Assembly (the main deliberative Assembly), The Security Council (for deciding certain resolution for peace and security), The Economic and Social Council (for assisting in promoting international economic, social cooperation and development), The Secretariat (for providing studies, information and facilities needed by the United Nations), The International Court of Justice (ICJ) (the primary judicial organ) and The United Nations (UNICEF), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The United Nation’s visible public figure is Secretary General, currently Ban Ki-moon of South Korea who attains the post in 2007. The UN head quarter is in New York City, with main offices at Geneva, Nairobi and Vienna.
The United Nations intervene African countries in all aspects of life; economically, socially, politically as well as culturally. This operates through the United Nations system agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, FAO, and United Nations Principal Organs such as Security Council and The international Court of Justice. From here Somalia and Libya are case studies in assessing the United Nations interventions in Africa. By starting with Somalia;
The United Nations operations in promoting peace and security, the United Nations UNOSOM1 was setup to facilitate humanitarian aid to people trapped by civil war and famine. The mission developed into a broad attempt to help stop the conflict and reconstitute the basic instruction of the viable state. This was due heavy fighting from November 1991 in the Somali capital city Mogadishu between armed elements allied to General Mohamed Farah Aidid or to Mr Ali Mohamed Mahdi. The UN security council imposed arms embargo and calls for humanitarian assistance. In January 1992 the UN security council unanimously adopted resolution 773 (1992).under chapter seven of the charter imposing general and complete arms embargo on Somalia and establishment of 50 military observers to monitor cease-fire and 500 strong infantry unit and the United Nations operations in Somalia UNISOM2 had approximately 2800 military and police personnel and 2800 international and recruited staff and total expenditure used in this operation is $1,643,485,500 net. The UNISOM2 was authorized by security council following the withdraw of Unified Task Force (UNITAF), multinational force organized and led by United States. The UNISOM2 was to take appropriate action including enforcement measures, disarmament and reconciliation.
Health promotion, the United Nations in Somalia through its specialized agencies World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and UNDP has been forefront global at country. For example in fighting HIV/AIDS, UNDP has implementing four (4) HIV/AIDS project; strengthening the three HIV/AIDS commission and secretariats, UNDP supports the three zonal; Somali land Aids Commission (SOLNAC), South Central Aids Commission ( SCAC) and Puntland Aids Commission to ensure that HIV work carried out in each zone is well coordinated, Religious Leaders Advocate Project since 2006. UNDP has been working with religious leaders in an effort to equip them to play great role in addressing issues that related to HIV/AIDS. HIV and AIDS behavior change communication which started in 2006 has supported training of peer educator programs comprised women, religious leaders and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The 2010 delivery matrix for HIV/AIDS is $723,825.30.
Also WHO and UNICEF initiated child health day Accelerated Young Children Survival (AYCS) since 2008 to address the high under five mobility and mortality in Somalia. The 2005-2007 Measles campaign conducted by W HO. WHO monitoring system in Somali land and Punt land initiated trained workers on its use and laboratory techniques on measles diagnosis.
Promotion of good governance, the United Nations promotes the governance programme national and local institutions and service to steward Somalia’s establishment of good governance and public accountability. UNDP has identified pillars of Somalia’ needs such as establishment of good governance through initiatives at the national, regional and local level including of the constitution, enhance the capacity of national institutions that support the machinery of government and decision making and enhance the capacity of local civil society and media that support peace and state building.
Toward achieving this agenda UNDP partners with several United Nations and Non United Nations agencies and supports Somalia led initiate through various programs. UNDP Somalia constitutional making support, UNDP Somali partners designed the Somali institution development project for South Central Somalia and Punt land. The expenditure for governance program in 2010 is $21,208,236.05. Somali institution development project January-December 2010 Budget 12777, 439$, support to constitution making January-December 750,000$, local government January-December 2010 budget 6,501,548$.
Gender campaigning, United Nations Development Planning (UNDP) is committed to ensuring that women have equal opportunity to hold leadership position particularly in civil services. The organization therefore provided training for women in career development within civil society. In the first half of 2010 the Somaliland and Civil Institute (CSI) trained 203 middle and lower level civil servant, 98 of which were women 48% in various disciplines. In Punt land 61 government officials participated in job training in areas monitoring and evaluation, adaptation international and its standards and computer software application, financial accounting and budgeting of 61 participants 7 were women 11%.
The UN Joint Programme in Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (GPLG) has sought to ensure gender equality women’s representation in council committee has been established between 20-30% in Somaliland and Punt land. Also UN has provided support to women who want to pursue education and careers in Law. In Punt land 22 females, female Law scholarships have been awarded to female students who will graduate with Law degree in 2012. The ROLS programme has been instrumental in establishing the first ever women Lawyers Association in Somaliland. The Association currently has 45 registered and practicing members.
Economic support, the United Nations has been supporting economic trend in Africa countries. For example in Somalia, no other aspect of Somalia society has changed dramatically in past years as its economy. The country went from heavy statist and foreign assistance driven economy. Under Siyad Barre to an economy plunder in1991-1992 and economy contracts for the UN in 1993-1994. Since 1995 the economy has shifted yet again today. It is radically privatized, unregulated economy focusing mainly on commercial trade and services sector. The country receives 500$ million as foreign aid in 2000. Also the raise of remittance has been the raise of the money transfer (haw land) and telecommunication sector in Somalia.
Education assistance the World Bank (WB) and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with other agencies have been piloting and strategies that can address this problems in this period of transition towards reconstruction and development. A present transitional solution by UNESCO and WFP is been piloted in Mogadishu. The rationale behind this strategy is as follows “Food for Work (FW) plus small contribution in cash by the community of parents will create employment for teachers during the process of educational rehabilitation. School Feeding Programme (SFP) consisting of snack or lunch distribution in school is seen as means to offset some or all the costs of attending school including expenditure in books, fees, uniforms. Monetization programme should help to put in place basic resources for supervision and rehabilitation of official school infrastructure.
Food assistance, the UN through its specialized agency Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO on 20th July 2011 the UN declared the status of famine in two areas of Southern Somalia. It estimated that 3.7 million people in Somalia are currently affected by food insecurity. FAO in Somalia is calling for US dollar 70 million to address the immediate needs of a approximately a million drought affected people. FAO currently intervention focus on information systems, Somali water and land information management system(SWALIM) and Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) which saves as main source of information on food security, nutrition and livelihoods in Somalia.
Refugee settlement assistance, The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has been assisting humanitarian assistance for refugees and Asylum-seekers. For example, the majority of 404,000 refugees and Asylum seekers in Kenya are from Somalia. UNHCR anticipates as confirmation of refugees’ influx from Somalia in 2011.The supply of food and portable water is increased from 13 liters per person per day to15 in Dadaab and maintained at 23 in Kakuma. Building the capacity of government institutions, particularly the Department t of Refugee Affair (DRA),the judiciary and the police will remain central to the Cooperation between UNHCR and government of Kenya.In2011,UNHCR will continue to build the capacity of these government institution to insure that refugees are protected and enjoy their rights.
Apart from those UN operations in Somalia, United Nations has intervening in Libya conflicts since February 2011 antigovernment protests erupted in Libya and soon turned violent. The conflict has since increased and triggered a massive out flow of people to neighboring countries especially in Egypt and Tunisia. The UNHCR reports that 656,000 people had fled from Libya, mostly migrant workers from Egypt and Tunisia but including many more nationaties.The UN refugees Agency (UNHCR) switch response to this emergency, sending team to both Egypt and Tunisia .Staff at UNHCR office in Libyan capital of Tripoli have to work help a case load of around 8000 refuge and 3000 asylum-seekers.
Provision of shelters, the UNHCR has established presence of Banghazi and Tobruk in East country, also UNHCR has airlifted tones of aid including tens four thousands of people at the border and a items such as kitchen sets, blanket, sleeping nets. In western Libya UNHCR trucked in food while food package has been distributed for 5500 Libyans in southern Tunisia. And UNHCR have set a number of camps close to the Ras Adjir border post and Tatnoine province, and at the end of august more than 4000 refugees and asylum-seekers were being hosted in three camps.
Human Rights protection, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted unanimously to lift no fly zone over Libya on October 31 and military actions to protection
civilians, acting swiftly following the death Muammar Qaddafi. The council authorized the actions on March 17 in response to Arabic League request to try to halt Muammar Qaddafi`s military which was advancing against rebels and their civilians supporters. The UN Security Council said it looks forward to the swift establishment of inclusive representative transitional government of Libya committed to democracy, good governance, and rule of law, national reconciliation and respect to human rights.
Promotions of Development Program, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has established the recovery policies to support early recovery activities including capacity development support for local government and civil society. Now following the falls of Qaddafi, the European government leaders demanding UNDP intends to quickly in place to provide advisory support to the new government on transitional arrangements and process (including a new constitution and elections as well as strategy for public administration reform and support for national dialogue and reconciliation.
Education system change and recovery, the United Nations through its agency UNESCO-United Nations Educational Science and cultural Organization intervene in Libya by assisting the educations recovery that is affected by conflicts in the country. The message from Irina Bokova the Director General UNESCO on Saturday 17 September 2011 school in Libya will reopen their doors, the real starting point of the reconstruction of Libyan society, the quality of new Libyan education will be key to achieve the mobilization of human rights, freedom and equality. The assistance and support must be given to all working school doors; teachers must be trained programme designed training for all young people. UNESCO is ready to work with the authorities to address their needs and to support management capacities for the education sector as a whole. A new strategy must be implemented to train teachers.
In general, the United Nations ( UN) and its supporting organs as well as specialized agencies play a great role in promoting World peace and security, promoting human rights, good governance, providing social or humanitarian assistance, developing social and economic development programme, and many others. But the major criticism of United Nations (UN) from the South has been that few powerful members have dominated its policy making process and frequently used the Veto power to enhance their interest. This seems undemocratic. It is now surprising that critics of this arrangement are now seeking to strengthen it rather to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It is classic case “Animal Farm” where the oppressed join the oppressors and behave just like them.
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