SOMALIA HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION 1992-1993 by G. P. ...

646 G. P. Valladares
During the debate about this historical resolution, the members of the
Council pointed out that the "exceptional" circumstances of anarchy and human
suffering in Somalia justified the adoption of "a different approach to the
operations for the maintenance of peace from the habitual one. (vi)
The unprecedent text allowed the deployment of thousands of armed forces
from USA and from other countries on December 9th, with the purpose of
escorting the convoys carrying relief in Somalia, so that the huge operation for the
provision of humanitarian relief started in October and which was to last 100 days
could go on.
Pursuant to the text of the Resolution approved unanimously, under Chapter
VII of the UN Charter which lays down the action to be taken, including the use of
force, in case of threat to the peace or acts of aggression, the Council authorized
the Secretary General to cooperate to put into practice the offer made by United
States of America of establishing a secure environment for the operation of
humanitarian relief as soon as possible.
The Council concluded that, "the extent and magnitude of the human tragedy
caused by the conflict in Somalia, now even more aggravated by the obstacles that
have been offered to the distribution of humanitarian assistance constitute a threat
to international peace and security".
It made reference to the constant reports on generalized violations to the
International Humanitarian Law in Somalia, including acts of violence against the
workers and vehicles that participate in relief operations.
The Secretary General and the Member States, who supplied troops to the
international forces, were authorized to take the necessary measures for the
command and control of the forces in a unified way. The deployment of 3500
additional troops from UNOSOM authorized by the Council in August would act
under the Secretary General supervision, who was requested to a small group of
link from UNOSOM to the headquarters of the unified command of the
international forces.
Acknowledging "that the people of Somalia hold the ultimate responsibility"
for a negotiated conflict, the Council encouraged invited the Secretary General and
his Special Representative to carry on with their efforts to work out a political
solution in Somalia (Sometime later, the Secretary General representative, met with
the leaders of several Somali groups in Addis Abeba (Ethiopia) from January 4th to
January 15th, with the purpose of organizing a conference for national
reconciliation).