AFRICA/SOMALIA - "The military option alone is not enough: We need major political effort," says to Fides the Bishop of Djibouti

Mogadishu (Agenzia Fides) - "As was the case on previous occasions, the hopes of some are high. I myself hope that from the London conference something positive comes out. It is true that, after so many failed conferences, there is a risk that this becomes yet another conference without results, " says His Exc. Mgr. Giorgio Bertin, Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, in an interview with Fides concerning the opening day, February 23, of the London International Conference on Somalia, with the participation of some 50 States and international organizations. The UN (represented by its Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon), the African Union, the European Union, the United States, and several African, European countries and the Middle East are among the participants.
"I hope at least that within the international community ideas and efforts to assist the Somali people and its representatives emerge. Although it has always been difficult to find 'genuine' representatives of the Somali people. Those who are in London I think are only a part," said Bishop Bertin.
Yesterday, the UN Security Council approved the increase in the AMISOM (African Union military force) fighting strength from 12,000 to 17,731 men, while the Ethiopian troops that support the Somali transitional government announced the capture of the city of Baidoa, which was in the hands of the Shabab.
Let us ask Bishop Bertin if he thinks that the military option is prevailing in trying to respond to the crisis in Somalia. "I hope that the military option is not the first choice, just like the fact that one cannot think that famine can be solved with only humanitarian intervention," says the Bishop. "In recent months I have insisted that we must not abandon Somalia in the hands of only humanitarian organizations, even when these are animated by the noblest purposes. Instead, one must give space to diplomats and politicians to play their role. While not excluding it, I would not want the military to become priority over the others. In my opinion favoring the 'military intervention does not solve much.
Mind you, the safety aspect must have proper attention and humanitarian aid has to continue, but to get Somalia out of its crisis that has lasted for decades one must give priority to politics and diplomacy," concludes Bishop Bertin. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2012)