INYERVIEW WITH NORWEGIAN DIPLOMAT, HANS-JACOB FRYDENLUND

MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY, 2001 

Hargeisa-(The Republican) - The editors of The Republican and Jamhuuriya held Thursday an interview with Mr. Hans Jacob Frydenlund, a Norwegian diplomat who works as his country’s ambassador / expert with regard to peace and reconciliation matters in Africa. Hans Jacob arrived in Hargeisa last week on a fact-finding mission. Norway is a member of the UN Security Council and an influential member of the steering committee for donor countries working with IGAD on Somali affairs.

Several thousand Somalilanders also live in Norway, a country that has been showing a considerable interest in the resolution of conflicts in third world countries.

Q. Can you elaborate on the purpose of your visit to Somaliland?

A: Norway is a member of the UN Security Council and we are here on a fact-finding mission meaning to gather first hand information about what is going on in different conflicts in the area before discussing them in the Council. That is the reason why we have come here.

We are going to different parts of Somalia to have meetings in Hargeisa, Mogadishu and with representatives of Puntland.

Q: As you are aware Somaliland considers itself an independent state and that the Arta conference didn’t concern her. After so many failed attempts by the Security Council and the International Community to resolve the problems of former Somalia, what is the stance of the Norwegian government with regard to the outcome of the Arta conference?

A: The Arta conference has been an important element for achieving peace in the country [Somalia] and the question is how to take this forward.

Q: The Security Council passed a resolution declaring the unity of the former Somalia as inviolable. How do you see this decision in terms of its contradiction with the universal declaration of people’s rights to self-determination?

A: First, I would say that there has been war and instability in Somalia for so long. We have however seen very positive developments here in Somaliland and also in Puntland. And in my capacity as an official responsible for peace and reconciliation affairs in Africa, I would say that this is an example that we will bring along with us further on. Actually this is an approach, which can be utilized not only within the Somali context but also at the African level. So it is important that while we have this experience in mind, we go back and discuss how to achieve the kind of peace and stability you have in the whole of Somalia.

Q: A lot of people in the former Somalia view the TNG as a mere new faction. Isn’t it wrong for the UN to side with one faction?

 

A: The UN is not siding with one faction. The TNG emerged as a result of a wide Somali process. And that is a fact we have to relate to.

Q: Why the UN and the International Community shouldn’t take into consideration the fact that Somaliland has not taken part in the Arta conference?

A: What is important is to maintain the peace and stability that you have here and achieve peace in other areas in Somalia that are still unstable. It is also important to ensure that any solution should be a one, which brings peace to the whole of Somalia.

Q: Despite the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council on arms to Somalia, yet arm shipments to the Arta faction were reported arriving in Balli-doogle’s airport, near Mogadishu. Why the UN shouldn’t take steps to ensure international adherence to this embargo?

A: As mentioned in the January Security Council statement, the arms embargo on Somalia should be reinforced, as it is important for peace prospects in Somalia.

Q: A substantial part of international aid given to this area is consumed in high overhead costs incurred in places like Nairobi. Do you agree that it would be much wiser to take measures that will ensure delivering the aid directly to those in need?

A: When you say high overheads, I would rather like to discuss that in a case-by-case basis but not in a general term. Norway maintains quite an extensive assistance program for Somalia within an annual range of 20-50 million Kroner of which a 1/3 goes to Somaliland, through the UN system and NGOs. We are however very adamant that aid should be handled with efficiency in close cooperation with [indigenous] organisations that are locally based and have local experience.

A good example that can be cited in this case is the excellent cooperation between the Norwegian Red Cross and Somaliland’s Red Crescent Society. We believe that that is how things should be done in this aspect.

Q: The UN Secretary General and to certain extent the Security Council solely rely on David Stephen for information on the situation in the former Somalia. Isn’t it unfair for the international community to give a monopoly over information to a single person who has been accused by the majority of Somalis of conveying distorted and false information to his superiors?

A: Well I’m here now. Though I’m not going to comment on what you have said about Mr. Stephen having a monopoly over reporting information, but we are here now and we have been following this. I’m not able to blame him but any way I think it’s very important to have a good relationship between the authorities here and the UN representative. So it is important to work out such kind of a relationship.

The Republican, a weekly English language publication based in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Chief Editor: Yusuf Abdi Gabobe. Issue 149, Feb. 17, 2001. Telephone: 253-22-3326, Fax: 252-213-4501, Email: jamhuuriya@yahoo.com