4P1MUN 2010

Delegation of France Security CouncilHsu Shuo Li

Solomon Poon

Road Map

• French-Somali Ties• Analysis of Situation• Proposed Solutions• Conclusion

French – Somali Ties

• France shares warm ties with Somalia– France participated in international operations

that attempted to establish peace in Somalia at the beginning of the civil war

– Somali PM and President paid visits to French President and PM in 2008

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files_156/somalia_242/france-and-somalia_5984/index.html

French-Somali Ties

• Funding- France has been giving humanitarian aid to Somalia- 2 million Euros in food aid in 2007-5.5 million Euros in food aid in 200

• Piracy in Somalia-France has sent several frigates to Somalia to fight against the pirates (Nivose)

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2010/0308/Somali-pirates-Does-France-have-the-most-effective-navy-against-the-buccaneershttp://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files_156/somalia_242/france-and-somalia_5984/index.html

Analysis of Situation

Analysis of Situation

Illegal fishing• An estimated 700 foreign vessels were engaged in

unlicensed fishing in 2005

• Unlicensed foreign vessels cut Somali fishing nets or even steal them

• Foreign vessels are armed and occasionally fire at Somali boats

• Between 2003-2004, over $100 million has been lost in revenue due to illegal fishing

http://www.illegal-fishing.info/item_single.php?item=news&item_id=145&approach_id=13

Analysis of Situation

Dumping of toxic wastes• Since 1991 (the fall of the government) there has been

over 800 illegal vessels in Somali waters• Came to light when 2004 tsunami washed ashore

containers of toxic wastes onto north Somalia- Uranium radioactive wastes

- Lead- Cadmium and mercury

• This has also led to the loss of revenue in fishing

http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/3-toxic-waste-behind-somali-pirates/

Analysis of Situation

Piracy• Due to loss in revenue, fishermen have no choice but to

resort to piracy to sustain themselves

• Seize international food aid supplies to Somalia

• Armed with weapons such as grenade launchers, assault rifles and pistols

• 154 hostages taken in 2007

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/organized-criminality_1935/maritime-piracy_6553/index.html

Proposed Solutions

Proposed Solutions

• Uniting more countries against fight against piracy

- Organize a meeting between countries to discuss method of combating pirates

- Initiated an agreement where countries are able to deal with pirates in Somali waters freely

- Current efforts are mostly unsynchronized

• Send more frigates to combat pirates

- France has been able to seize 35 pirates so far (out of an estimated 1000)

- More frigates, the better chance of catching pirates

Proposed Solution

• Emphasize importance of engaging military escorts

- Many countries are sending humanitarian aid to Somali

- Without military escorts, there is a great chance for shipments to be seized by pirates, especially when most shipping boats are unarmed

- Even in this year, in May itself, pirates have been able to seize a Greek vessel with 24 people onboard

- All shipments to Somalia should have a military escort to combat pirates in case of attack

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45149

Conclusion

• France has one of the best navies in the region- Shown from a single frigate Nivose capturing 35 pirates, the largest haul yet

• Prior experience in giving aid to nations (Haiti, Georgia)

• Fight against piracy in Somalia is a good platform for France to lead other countries in overcoming the threat together