state of the environment in Somalia - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

● Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water;
● Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space
including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies;
● African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources;
● Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement
and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa; and
● Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community.
While there is a clear need for a thorough revision of the country’s national legislation on management of
natural resources, this will require considerable effort and co-operation from all interested parties. A number
of gaps in the legal system also need to be addressed, for example the lack of any reference to a national
water act or adhesion to the Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by
Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Convention), the latter being especially relevant to
the alleged dumping of toxic and hazardous materials in Somalia during 2004 and 2005.
Other opportunities to benefit natural resource management could be based on improved regional co-operation
and co-ordination. The establishment of an Indian Ocean Sanctuary for the conservation of whales, for example,
and the Protocol Concerning Protected Areas and Wild Flora and Fauna in the Eastern African Region,
both provide a framework for collaboration in the development of marine protected areas and species
conservation programmes. Other possible legal instruments which could serve a similar purpose (but to which
Somalia may not currently be a Party) include:
● the Convention on Biological Diversity;
● the Ramsar Convention;
● FAO Code of Conduct (which relates to the sustainable management of fisheries resources);
● UN Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks;
● the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission; and
● the Marine Turtle Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the Western Indian Ocean.
The role of non-governmental organizations
The establishment of a new government and the growth of stability in “Somaliland” and “Puntland” are not the
only signs of hope in the current situation in Somalia. Boxes 4 and 5 summarize certain non-governmental
initiatives exist which are proving effective in environmental resource management.
Future prospects
Somalia currently has an historic opportunity to choose a new and better path. A transitional government is
becoming established and is seeking popular recognition throughout Somalia, despite the country’s fragmentation
with two breakaway regions and a third still plagued by conflict.
Peace and stability are absolute prerequisites for any future rebuilding and development of Somalia, and
continued access to natural resources is essential to the livelihoods of the vast majority of its people. Urgent
Environment in Somalia 20 UNEP Desk Study