Somalia calls for aid to avert terrorism

Like Afghanistan, Somalia is gripped by drought

By BBC UN correspondent Greg Barrow

The prime minister of Somalia's transitional government, Ali Khalif Galaydh, has warned the UN Security Council that his country could disintegrate and become a home for terrorist organisations if it is not given more international assistance.

Somalia has been without a central government since 1991

Mr Galaydh told the Security Council that although Somalia had been the recipient of generous humanitarian aid, it needed more money and assistance to build a properly functioning police force and state security apparatus.

A recent report by the office of the UN Secretary General concluded that the Somali capital, Mogadishu, was still too insecure to establish a UN peace-building office.

Somalia is a clear example of a country which will struggle to meet the high standards the UNSC is demanding in its push to eliminate global terrorism.

Battle for stability

After a decade of civil war it is still struggling to form a government that has support across the whole country.

During an open debate on Somalia at the security council, Mr Galaydh warned there could be dire consequences if his plea for international assistance were ignored.

"In the worst case scenario, Somalia will degenerate again into lawlessness, lack of central authority and then it will really be a self-fulfilling prophecy - this will be a place for terrorists, for people who are trafficking in drugs, people who are involved in arms trade and ultimately it's the Somali people who are going to suffer," he said.

Comparisons were made between Afghanistan and Somalia by several Security Council members, with some warning that without assistance, Somalia could easily become another Afghanistan.

The comparisons go beyond political and security similarities - like Afghanistan, Somalia has also been gripped by drought conditions and Prime Minister Galaydh said one of the best forms of foreign aid at this point in time would be rainfall.